Long-term prognosis of fulminant myocarditis rescued by percutaneous cardiopulmonary support device

The long-term prognosis and cardiac function of fulminant myocarditis treated with percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) was compared with the outcome of those not treated with PCPS.

From 1991 to 2000, 14 patients with fulminant myocarditis (left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) < or =40%) were admitted to hospital. PCPS was necessary for treatment of shock in 8 (PCPS group), but not for the remaining 6 patients (non-PCPS group). In the PCPS group, 6 patients (75%) survived the critical phase and did not have any cardiac problems after discharge (range of follow-up period, 1.4-6.0 years). All patients in the non-PCPS group survived the acute phase; 1 patient had congestive heart failure 1.5 years after discharge, and another died from malignancy (follow-up period range, 2.2-9.4 years). Although the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of the PCPS group was significantly lower than that of the non-PCPS group in the acute phase, there was no significant difference in LVEF between the 2 groups in the chronic phase.

Patients who survive the acute phase crisis of acute myocarditis have a favorable long-term survival rate, whether or not mechanical support is used.