Changes in Cardiac Function Following Fulminant Myocarditis.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine
• Pathology

Background:

• The long-term cardiac effects of fulminant myocarditis are not well understood.
• This study investigates the natural history of myocardial dysfunction in these patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in cardiac function in patients with fulminant myocarditis.
• To assess the relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and prognosis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 214 patients with biopsy-proven fulminant myocarditis.
• Analysis of LVEF at admission, discharge, and 1-year follow-up.
• Group comparison based on LVEF at discharge (<50% vs. ≥50%).

Main Results:

• LVEF improved significantly from admission (33%) to discharge (59%) and 1 year (61%).
• 29% had reduced LVEF (<50%) at discharge, and 14% at 1 year.
• Reduced LVEF at discharge was associated with an 8.19-fold increased risk of death or heart transplantation.

Conclusions:

• Left ventricular dysfunction can persist in the chronic phase of fulminant myocarditis.
• Patients with reduced LVEF at discharge have a poorer prognosis.