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Hepatitis B virus infection can cause myocarditis, leading to heart failure and arrhythmia. Early echocardiography is crucial for detecting left ventricular dysfunction in these cases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health concern.
- Myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle, can have various etiologies.
- The association between HBV infection and myocarditis is not well-established.
Observation:
- This report details two cases of patients presenting with concurrent hepatitis B virus infection and myocarditis.
- One patient's myocarditis was attributed to an immune complex mechanism.
- Both patients exhibited symptoms of heart failure and arrhythmia.
Findings:
- Conventional medical therapy effectively managed the heart failure and arrhythmia in both patients.
- Echocardiography proved vital for the early identification of left ventricular dysfunction.
- The role of corticosteroid therapy in HBV-associated myocarditis remains uncertain.
Implications:
- Acute hepatitis B infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute myocarditis.
- Early echocardiographic assessment is recommended for patients with suspected HBV-related myocarditis.
- Further research is needed to clarify the pathogenesis and optimal treatment strategies for HBV-associated myocarditis.
Abstract:
Two patients with hepatitis B virus infection and myocarditis are reported. The implicated pathogenesis was an immune complex mechanism in one patient. Both patients presented with heart failure and arrhythmia which were controlled with conventional medical therapy. Echocardiography played an important role for early detection of left ventricular dysfunction. The efficacy and safety of corticosteroid therapy is still conjectural. Acute hepatitis B infection should be a differential diagnostic consideration in the etiology of acute myocarditis.