Myocarditis

Question 1

Myocarditis Overview

Answer 1

Myocardial inflammation in the absence of ischaemia
- Usually benign disease without serious long-term complications.
- Can cause arrhythmia, cardiac failure, cardiogenic shock and death.
- May result in dilated cardiomyopathy.

Causes
- Viral - Coxcsackievirus,HIV, Influenza, HSV, Adenovirus
- Bacteria - Mycoplasma, rickettsia, leptospira
- Immune-mediated - Sarcoidosis, scleroderma, SLE, Kawasaki’s disease
- Drugs - Clozapine, Amphetamines.

Question 2

Features of Myocarditis

Answer 2

• Chest pain
• Excessive fatigue
• Tachypnoea
• Abnormal ECG or unexplained sinus tachycardia
• Abnormal Echo