Tag Archives: myocarditis

Introduction Myocardial fibrosis plays a pivotal role in cardiac pathological processes and the development of complications. Preclinical studies demonstrate that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) have inhibitory effects on fibrotic pathways and could reduce myocardial fibrosis.1 Myocardial fibrosis, triggered by various stimuli, increases morbidity and mortality.2 Azevedo et al. revealed that higher degrees of myocardial fibrosis were associated with worse long-term survival.3 Accumulation of myocardial fibrosis is associated with stiffening of the myocardium and failure to relax during diastole.4 Further, a higher degree of my

Introduction Atrioventricular (AV) block is an uncommon complication of myocarditis, which is most often observed in combination with underlying conditions such as that caused by cardiac sarcoidosis (CS), giant cell myocarditis (GCM) and acute lymphocytic myocarditis. Myocarditis is a broad term that describes inflammation of the myocardium, which can range from mild and self-limiting to fulminant variants that require cardiac transplantation. Patients with proven GCM and CS may benefit from immunosuppression, and it is important to investigate for underlying infiltrative disease in cases of myocarditis and AV block as specific treatments ma

Introduction Since its appearance in December 2019 in Wuhan (Hubei, China), more than 300 million people worldwide have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus1 (which generates multi-systemic involvement and is an emerging cause of myocardial compromise). This article presents an illustrative case of dilated cardiomyopathy as a complication of viral myocarditis due to SARS-CoV-2. Case presentation Table 1. Most relevant laboratory findings Test Result Reference values Leukocytes 13,400/µL 4,200–10,400/µL Lymphocytes 1,300/µL 300–1,500/µL Haemoglobin 14 g/dL 11.7–15.5 g/dL Platelets 282,000/µL 156,000–373,000/µL

Professor Anthony Rees The German decision somewhat pre-empted the European Medicines Agency analysis published a week later on 7th April 2021 in which 62 cases of CVST and 24 cases of splanchnic vein thrombosis, 18 of which were fatal, had been reported via the EudraVigilance database. After considering the cases, the EMA responded: “The benefits of the vaccine continue to outweigh the risks for people who receive it. The vaccine is effective at preventing COVID-19 and reducing hospitalisations and deaths”.1 By the date of the EMA report, 25 million people in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK had received the vaccine. Speculati

As discussed by Findlay and colleagues, ICI-related myocarditis is rare but potentially fatal. Its true incidence remains unknown but data from a single cancer registry study from the USA suggests a prevalence of 1.14% with fatality rates as high as 50%.4,5 Data suggest that myocarditis is an early ICI-toxicity, typically seen within the first three months of starting treatment, and is more common in patients treated with combination anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD1 blockade. The prevalence of myocarditis in patients treated with chemotherapy and anti-PD1 or tyrosine kinase Inhibitors (TKI) and anti-PD1 combinations has not been described. Identifyin

Introduction Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) was first pioneered in 1962 in Japan.1 Since then EMB has undergone significant advances in procedural equipment and tissue analysis.2,3 Using a combination of histological, immunohistochemical and viral analysis, a variety of myocardial disorders can be detected. The procedure involves taking four or more biopsy samples from the right intraventricular septum using flexible bioptomes, under fluoroscopic or echocardiographic guidance.4 Routine access is typically via a sheath inserted into the right internal jugular or femoral vein. Left ventricular biopsy can also be performed via the femoral arteries