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ALL / Cardiology
Myocarditis
Myocarditis
Myocarditis describes inflammation of the myocardium. There are a wide range of underlying causes. It should be particularly considered in younger patients who present with chest pain.Causes
- viral: coxsackie B, HIV
- bacteria: diphtheria, clostridia
- spirochaetes: Lyme disease
- protozoa: Chagas' disease, toxoplasmosis
- autoimmune
- drugs: doxorubicin
Presentation
- usually young patient with an acute history
- chest pain
- dyspnoea
- arrhythmias
Investigations
- bloods
- ↑ inflammatory markers in 99%
- ↑ cardiac enzymes
- ↑ BNP
- ECG
- tachycardia
- arrhythmias
- ST/T wave changes including ST-segment elevation and T wave inversion
Management
- treatment of underlying cause e.g. antibiotics if bacterial cause
- supportive treatment e.g. of heart failure or arrhythmias
Complications
- heart failure
- arrhythmia, possibly leading to sudden death
- dilated cardiomyopathy: usually a late complication
+PassMedicine Notes
Myocarditis describes inflammation of the myocardium. There are a wide range of underlying causes. It should be particularly considered in younger patients who present with chest pain.
Causes- viral: coxsackie B, HIV
- bacteria: diphtheria, clostridia
- spirochaetes: Lyme disease
- protozoa: Chagas' disease, toxoplasmosis
- autoimmune
- drugs: doxorubicin
- usually young patient with an acute history
- chest pain
- dyspnoea
- arrhythmias
- bloods
- ↑ inflammatory markers in 99%
- ↑ cardiac enzymes
- ↑ BNP
- ECG
- tachycardia
- arrhythmias
- ST/T wave changes including ST-segment elevation and T wave inversion
- treatment of underlying cause e.g. antibiotics if bacterial cause
- supportive treatment e.g. of heart failure or arrhythmias
- heart failure
- arrhythmia, possibly leading to sudden death
- dilated cardiomyopathy: usually a late complication
