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Mitral stenosis together with a giant cell myocarditis limited to the left atrium
Journal of Clinical Pathology
|November 1, 1968
Insights
Giant cell myocarditis localized to the left atrium was observed with mitral stenosis. This suggests rheumatic fever may cause giant cell reactions in the heart muscle.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Rheumatic heart disease is a common cause of mitral stenosis.
- Giant cell myocarditis is a rare inflammatory condition of the heart muscle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a case of mitral stenosis associated with localized giant cell myocarditis.
- To explore the relationship between giant cell myocarditis and rheumatic heart disease.
Main Methods:
- Case report and literature review.
Main Results:
- A case of mitral stenosis was found to have giant cell myocarditis confined to the left atrium.
- A significant proportion of giant cell myocarditis cases are associated with rheumatic heart disease.
Conclusions:
- The giant cell reaction in the heart may be an atypical response to rheumatic fever.
- Further investigation into the pathogenesis of giant cell myocarditis in rheumatic heart disease is warranted.
Abstract:
A case is described in which mitral stenosis was associated with a giant cell myocarditis; the latter lesion was, however, localized to the left atrium. A quite high proportion of reported cases of giant cell myocarditis have occurred in association with rheumatic heart disease. The nature of this relationship is discussed and it is concluded that, in such cases, the giant cell reaction may represent an unusual myocardial response to rheumatic fever.