[Myopericarditis during Horton disease]

A Teixeira1, E Capitaine, F Congy

  • 1Service de médecine interne I, groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France. antonio.teixeira@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr <antonio.teixeira@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr>

La Revue De Medecine Interne
|March 27, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Myopericarditis, a rare manifestation of Horton disease, can present atypically. Early diagnosis via temporal artery biopsy and corticosteroid treatment are crucial for managing cardiac symptoms and preventing complications.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Myopericarditis is an uncommon cardiac manifestation of Horton disease (giant cell arteritis).
  • This report details two elderly patients with unusual presentations of myopericarditis secondary to Horton disease.

Observation:

  • Both patients, over 60, presented with global cardiac insufficiency, elevated inflammatory markers, and echocardiographic evidence of myopericarditis.
  • Infectious causes were ruled out by negative bacteriological investigations.

Findings:

  • Temporal artery biopsy confirmed giant cell arteritis in both cases, establishing the diagnosis of Horton disease.
  • Treatment with oral corticosteroids led to significant clinical and biological improvement.

Implications:

  • Myopericarditis, though rare, should be considered in elderly patients with cardiac insufficiency and inflammation, especially when other causes are excluded.
  • Temporal artery biopsy is critical for diagnosing Horton disease and guiding therapy to prevent severe cardiovascular events.
Abstract

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