[The Case of Fulminant Myocarditis]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Fulminant myocarditis (FM) is a critical inflammatory heart condition.
• It rapidly progresses to acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or lethal arrhythmias.
• Intensive treatment, including mechanical support and transplantation, is often necessary.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a clinical case of fulminant myocarditis.
• To review current literature on the diagnosis and treatment of FM.

Main Methods:

• Echocardiography for initial screening.
• Endomyocardial biopsy for definitive diagnosis (histology, immunohistochemistry, molecular-genetic analysis).
• Magnetic resonance imaging is often limited by patient instability.

Main Results:

• Histological findings are crucial for determining prognosis.
• Most patients experience a favorable long-term outcome after the acute inflammatory phase resolves.

Conclusions:

• Fulminant myocarditis necessitates prompt and aggressive management.
• Accurate diagnosis, primarily through endomyocardial biopsy, is key to effective treatment and improved prognosis.