The authors report the case of a 38-year-old woman with acute influenza myocarditis, cardiogenic shock and multiorgan injuries. The echocardiogram showed symmetric thickening and severe hypokinesis of the ventricular wall, with a concomitant reduction of the left ventricular cavity due to myocardial edema and cellular infiltration. ⋯ The myocarditis resolved without sequelae. The hemodynamic implications of this transient myocardial thickening and its relationship to steroid therapy are discussed.
M Piancastelli, M Grilli, M L Ravaioli, S Preziosi, G Bellanti, and W Zabberoni.
Divisione di Cardiologia, Ospedale Civile Santa Maria Delle Croci, Ravenna.
G Ital Cardiol. 1993 Dec 1;23(12):1223-8.
AbstractThe authors report the case of a 38-year-old woman with acute influenza myocarditis, cardiogenic shock and multiorgan injuries. The echocardiogram showed symmetric thickening and severe hypokinesis of the ventricular wall, with a concomitant reduction of the left ventricular cavity due to myocardial edema and cellular infiltration. The myocardial thickening gradually decreased and the ejection fraction improved, as shown by serial echocardiographic evaluations. Blood levels of cardiospecific enzymes were slightly elevated and ECG showed little change. The myocarditis resolved without sequelae. The hemodynamic implications of this transient myocardial thickening and its relationship to steroid therapy are discussed.