Key result
Prior influenza vaccination is linked to ~31% lower STEMI rates among cardiac ICU patients.
Why the study?
Influenza can be associated with acute cardiovascular events, but the impact of serological protection in high-risk patients admitted to Cardiac Intensive Care Units (C-ICUs) is unknown.
Does previous influenza vaccination reduce cardiovascular events and improve serological protection in patients admitted to Cardiac Intensive Care Units during influenza seasons?
Observational (n=397)
Yes
Does previous influenza vaccination reduce cardiovascular events and improve serological protection in patients admitted to Cardiac Intensive Care Units during influenza seasons?
Absolute Event Rate: 28.2% vs 40.8%
p-value: p=0.009
Prior influenza vaccination in C-ICU patients is associated with higher seroprotection and significantly lower rates of STEMI and pulmonary embolism during influenza seasons.
Influenza vaccination was associated with fewer STEMI and pulmonary emboli in C-ICU patients; leaves open whether it improves outcomes pending randomized confirmation.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Influenza can be associated with acute cardiovascular events, but the impact of serological protection in high-risk patients admitted to Cardiac Intensive Care Units (C-ICUs) is unknown. This study aimed to analyze previous vaccination rate, level of serological protection and laboratory-confirmed influenza, among patients admitted to C-ICUs during influenza season, and its association with cardiovascular events. METHODS: Prospective multicenter study of all patients admitted to C-ICUs during 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020 influenza seasons. A systematic search for influenza was performed using the Xpert Xpress Flu/RSV assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). The seroprotection rate was assessed by analyzing the percentage of patients with antibody titers against influenza ≥1/40, and the intensity of seroprotection by evaluating the geometric mean titers of these antibodies. RESULTS: From 397 patients, 245 (61.7%) reported previous influenza vaccine. A total of 23 patients had laboratory-confirmed influenza (23/397, 5.8%). Overall, the seroprotection rate was significantly higher for influenza A than for B (84.6% vs 37.5%, P < 0.001) and higher in vaccinated than in non-vaccinated group. The highest seroprotection rate and intensity was observed for subtype A(H3N2), followed by A(H1N1)pdm09, B/Victoria, and finally B/Yamagata. Compared unvaccinated patients, those with prior vaccination had lower rates of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (28.2% vs 40.8%, P = 0.009), pulmonary embolism (0.8% vs 4.6%, P = 0.014), and severe clinical presentation (53.1% vs 67.1%, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Serological protection was higher against influenza A than B, especially for the A (H3N2) subtype. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and severe clinical presentation appear to be reduced with influenza vaccination.
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Galar et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Cardiac Intensive Care Unit admission during influenza season (n=397). Prior influenza vaccination vs. Unvaccinated patients was evaluated on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (p=0.009). Prior influenza vaccination was associated with lower rates of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (28.2% vs 40.8%, P=0.009) compared to unvaccinated patients in the cardiac ICU.
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