Inflamed Heart, (Myocarditis) A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

This book describes Inflamed Heart (Myocarditis), Diagnosis and Treatment and Related DiseasesLove is an inflamed heart but not in this book!What is Inflamed Heart (Myocarditis)?Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle. Myocarditis is acute or chronic inflammation of the myocardium - and may manifest in a similar way to myocardial infarction. CausesMost of the time, it is produced by an infection that reaches the heart.
When the patient has an infection, the immune system produces special cells to fight off disease. When the infection involves the heart, the disease-fighting cells go into the heart. The chemicals made by these cells can also injure the heart muscle. As a consequence, the heart can become thick, swollen, and weak. Many cases are induced by a virus that reaches the heart. InfectionViral infection is the most frequent cause of acute myocarditisCoxsackievirus is the most frequent viral cause in Europe and the USAMost viruses are potential agents, such as influenza (flu) virus, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, cytomegalovirus, HIV, Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis A and hepatitis C.
Worldwide the most frequent bacterial cause is diphtheria. It may also be produced by bacterial infections such as Lyme disease, streptococcus, mycoplasma, and chlamydia. There are also spirochetal, fungal, parasitic and rickettsial causes. The protozoal Chagas' disease is a common entity worldwideOther causes of myocarditis are:a. Autoimmune disorders that cause inflammation throughout the body1.
Sarcoidosis.2. Systemic lupus erythematosus.3. Scleroderma.4. Inflammatory bowel disease.5. Giant cell myocarditis.b. Reactions to certain medicines, such as certain chemotherapy drugs1. Clozapine, 2. Acetazolamide, 3. Amitriptyline, 4. Cyclophosphamide, 5. Fluorouracil, c. Exposure to chemicals in the environment, such as heavy metals1. Lead, 2. Copper, 3. Iron. Others:1. Insect stings and bites2.
RadiationSymptoms:The presentation may range from asymptomatic changes seen on ECG to fulminant heart failure, arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death:1. Patients may be asymptomatic with ECG abnormalities.2. Others may have severe heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction (LVD).a. Fatigueb. Chest painc. Feverd. Signs of heart failureDiagnosisMyocarditis may not be easy to diagnose because the signs and symptoms often imitate those of other heart and lung diseases or a bad case of the flu.
The doctor may hear a rapid heartbeat or abnormal heart soundsA chest x-ray can show enlargement of the heartIf the doctor identifies myocarditis based on the examination and chest x-ray, an electrocardiogram may also be done to confirm the diagnosisECG: changes may be ST-segment elevation/depression, T-wave inversion, atrial arrhythmias, transient atrioventricular (AV) blockEndomyocardial biopsy (the gold standard test) is sometimes doneCardiac MRI can differentiate transient and permanent tissue damageTreatmentPatients with signs of acute myocarditis should be moved to ITU, as ventricular support may become essential.1.
Antibiotics to fight bacterial infection2. Medicines called steroids to reduce swelling3. If the heart muscle is weak, the doctor will give medicines to treat heart failure.a. Diureticsb. Low-salt dietc. Reduced activity4. Abnormal heart rhythms may need the use of medicines.5. The patient may also need a device to correct an irregular heartbeat such as:a. Pacemakerb. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator6.
If a blood clot is in the heart chamber, blood thinning medicine is given7. Heart transplant may be required if the heart muscle has become very weak8. Treat hypotensionTABLE OF CONTENTIntroduction...