Myocarditis Flashcards
what is myocarditis
acute inflammation and necrosis of cardiac muscle (the myocardium)
what are some causes of myocarditis
viral infection (MOST COMMON)
other infectious causes (diptheria and Chagas disease)
autoimmune diseases
what are some viral agents that can cause myocarditis
Coxsackie - most common virus
Adenovirus
Parvovirus B19
Enterovirus
HIV
EBV
Hepatitis A and C
what autoimmune diseases can lead to myocarditis
systemic lupus erythematosus
sarcoid
scleroderma
churg-strauss
kawasaki disease
thyrotoxicosis
polymyositis
what symptoms may a patient with myocarditis present with
Cardiac-type sharp chest pain (pericarditis)
Fatigue, fever, malaise
Palpitations
breathlessness (due to pericardial effusion)
Symptoms of heart failure
Sudden unexplained cardiac death
what signs will a patient with myocarditis have
Signs of heart failure may be evident (along with S3 and S4 gallops).
If pericarditis is associated, auscultation can reveal a pericardial friction rub
what investigations will be done for suspected myocarditis
ECG, Troponin, echocardiogram, Cardiac MRI and endomyocardial biopsy
what ECG findings will be present in myocarditis
on-specific ST segment and T wave changes (which may be regional, depending on degree and location of myocardial involvement), along with ectopic beats and arrhythmias if present
what will troponin levels be like in myocarditis
elevated
what can a Cardiac MRI show
inflammation
pros and cons of endomyocardial biopsy
pros- gold standard diagnostic tool
con- very invasive so has its own risks as a tool
management of myocarditis
treatment of underlying cause (whether it be viral, infection or autoimmune)
patients should avoid strenous exercise for several months
