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Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Cell-based Therapy for Heart Failure in Rat: Double Thoracotomy for Myocardial Infarction and Epicardial Implantation of Cells and Biomatrix
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Severe Eosinophilic Myocarditis in the Portion of Left Ventricular Wall Excised to Insert a Left Ventricular Assist

William C Roberts1, Alexander T Kietzman1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) and Pathology, Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor Scott & White Health, Dallas, Texas.

The American Journal of Cardiology
|December 19, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Three adults with heart failure developed eosinophilic myocarditis, a severe inflammation of the heart muscle, around the time of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Eosinophil counts normalized post-surgery, suggesting a transient condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pathology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are crucial for end-stage heart failure treatment.
  • Myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle, can lead to heart failure.
  • Eosinophilic myocarditis is a rare form of myocarditis characterized by eosinophil infiltration.

Observation:

  • Three adult patients receiving LVADs showed severe acute myocarditis in myocardial tissue samples.
  • These patients had elevated blood eosinophil counts prior to LVAD implantation.
  • Inflammatory cells in the myocardial tissue included a significant number of eosinophils.

Findings:

  • Histologic examination revealed eosinophilic myocarditis in all three patients.
  • Absolute eosinophil counts normalized rapidly within 30 days post-LVAD surgery.
  • The specific causative medication could not be identified due to polypharmacy.

Implications:

  • Eosinophilic myocarditis may be a transient condition that can occur in patients with advanced cardiomyopathy undergoing LVAD implantation.
  • This finding highlights the importance of considering drug-induced or reactive eosinophilia in patients with heart failure and LVADs.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the triggers and mechanisms of eosinophilic myocarditis in this context.

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