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Myocarditis Causes and Risks:
Myocarditis may be a complication during or after various viral, bacterial, or parasitic infectious diseases, such as polio , influenza , rubella or rheumatic fever . Viral infections such as coxsackie virus, adenovirus, and echovirus are the most common cause in children. It may also be caused by radiation, exposure to chemicals or medication, or connective tissue diseases.
The middle layer of heart muscle becomes inflamed and irritated, causing rapid onset of heart failure or other symptoms. It is a fairly uncommon disorder, affecting approximately 8 out of 100,000 people.
Prevention:
Prompt treatment of causative disorders may reduce the risk of
myocarditis.
Symptoms:
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Signs and Tests:
The diagnosis is made on the basis of symptoms that appear within 6 months of recent infection. A physical examination shows a rapid heartbeat ( tachycardia ). There are often signs of heart failure , including congestion in the systemic (body) or pulmonary (lung) veins.
Tests used in the diagnosis of myocarditis include: - ECG , showing abnormalities (transient S-T wave changes and reduced QRS voltage)
- chest X-ray
- a biopsy of heart muscle , confirming the diagnosis
- cultures (may be performed if infection is suspected as a cause of the disorder)
Treatment:
The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation and reduce the amount of heart damage. The cause must be identified and treated. This may include antibiotics or other treatments.
There may be a need to treat arrhythmias with digitalis or antiarrhythmic medications. These patients may be very sensitive to digitalis. Analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications may be used to reduce symptoms.
Oxygen is usually given to reduce the workload on the heart (when the oxygen level in the body is high, demands on the heart are less). Activity may be restricted to bedrest to reduce cardiac workload, and the diet may be salt/sodium restricted.
A heart transplant may be considered if the condition is severe and unresponsive to treatment.
Prognosis:
Myocarditis can be very serious, and the outcome depends on the cause. The likelihood of complications varies.
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms of myocarditis occur, especially after a recent infection.
If you have myocarditis, call your health care provider if you experience increased swelling , chest pain , difficulty breathing , or other new symptoms.
This is a cross-sectional view of the interior of the heart. The valves, chambers, and associated vessels are labeled.
This is an illustration of the exterior of the heart. The arteries are colored blue and represent blood that is flowing into the heart. The veins are red and indicate blood flow out from the heart. The chambers are also labeled.
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