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Acute myocarditis presenting as asymmetric septal hypertrophy
1Department of Medicine, Toronto Western Hospital, Ontario.
The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Myocarditis can mimic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by causing asymmetric septal hypertrophy. Prompt steroid treatment resolved the septal thickening in this case, suggesting myocarditis as a potential diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, can present with diverse echocardiographic findings.
- Asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) is typically associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Observation:
- A 19-year-old male diagnosed with myocarditis exhibited echocardiographic evidence of ASH.
- The patient presented with significant thickening of the interventricular septum.
Findings:
- Following six days of steroid therapy, the patient's interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness normalized.
- Echocardiographic parameters returned to baseline, indicating resolution of the hypertrophy.
Implications:
- This case highlights myocarditis as a differential diagnosis for ASH, especially in younger patients.
- The findings suggest that prompt recognition and treatment of myocarditis can reverse cardiac structural changes.
- Consideration of myocarditis is crucial in patients with ASH and associated left ventricular wall motion abnormalities.