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Myocarditis refers to the inflammation of the myocardium, the muscular layer of the heart wall. It is characterized by global enlargement of the heart and dilation of all chambers.
Clinical Significance
Myocarditis is a major cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in adults under the age of 40. The presentation is highly variable and can include a wide range of symptoms.
Myocarditis can result from a variety of infections, toxins, drugs, and autoimmune conditions. Below is a table summarizing the main causes.
Category | Etiology |
---|---|
Viral | Adenovirus, Coxsackie B virus, Parvovirus B19, HIV, HHV-6 |
Parasitic | Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii |
Bacterial | Borrelia burgdorferi, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Corynebacterium diphtheriae |
Toxins | Carbon monoxide, Black widow venom |
Rheumatic Fever | Due to streptococcal infections |
Drugs | Doxorubicin, Cocaine |
Autoimmune | Kawasaki disease, Sarcoidosis, Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Polymyositis/dermatomyositis |
Without appropriate management, myocarditis can lead to severe complications, including: