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Published on: August 8, 2022
Myocarditis combined with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a case report
Jing-Yue Wang1, Yu-Shi Wang1, Bo-Tao Shen1
1Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Insights
Persistent ventricular wall thickening in myocarditis patients may indicate coexisting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Early identification of this combination is crucial for appropriate patient management and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, can lead to ventricular wall thickening due to edema.
- Persistent ventricular wall thickening, even after acute inflammation subsides, suggests an underlying condition.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart condition characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle.
Observation:
- A 30-year-old male presented with chest pain, sweating, and fever, initially improving with self-medication.
- ECG showed ST-segment elevation and ST-T wave changes; cardiac troponin I was markedly elevated.
- Echocardiography revealed significant interventricular septum thickening (17 mm) and left ventricular hypokinesia, without outflow tract obstruction.
Findings:
- Laboratory tests were negative for respiratory infections but positive for IgG antibodies against herpes simplex virus (HSV), rubella virus (RV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV).
- The patient was diagnosed with myocarditis coexisting with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
- Persistent ventricular wall thickening in the context of myocarditis is a key indicator for considering concomitant HCM.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in patients with myocarditis presenting with persistent ventricular wall thickening.
- Prompt diagnosis and management of combined myocarditis and HCM are essential to prevent adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
- Further research into the interplay between viral infections and genetic predispositions in developing combined cardiac conditions is warranted.
Abstract:
Myocarditis can cause ventricular wall thickening due to myocardial edema. If the condition improves, the ventricular wall thickening should gradually decrease; a persistent thickening of the patient's ventricular wall indicates the coexistence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and myocarditis. A 30-year-old man was referred to our hospital with continuous chest pain accompanied by profuse sweating. He suffered from fever for two days (the maximum body temperature: 38 °C) and the conditions improved following the use of antipyretics as self-administered medication before admission. Electrocardiogram exhibited ST-segment elevation in leads I and avL, and ST-T wave changes in leads II, III, avF, and V1-V6. Marked elevation of cardiac troponin I was found on laboratory testing. Respiratory tract infection testing showed negative results. A TORCH screen revealed positive herpes simplex virus (HSV), rubella virus (RV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG but all with negative IgM titer. Ultrasonic echocardiography showed thickness of the interventricular septum (17 mm) and diffuse left ventricular (LV) hypokinesia, without LV outflow tract obstruction. After consultation with the cardiology team, a diagnosis of myocarditis with HCM was made. Patients with myocarditis should be alerted to the possibility of HCM when there is persistent ventricular wall thickening.
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