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Frustaci A, Letizia C, Alfarano M, Marchionni G, Verardo R, Chimenti C. Immunomodulating and Immunosuppressive Therapy for Virus-Negative Immune-Mediated Myocarditis. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1565. [PMID: 39062138 PMCID: PMC11274480 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium caused by infectious and noninfectious agents. Clinical manifestations range from mildly symptomatic forms to acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden death. Myocarditis is still a challenging diagnosis because of its wide variability in clinical presentation and unpredictable course. Moreover, a standardized, specific treatment in not yet available. Immunosuppressive treatment for virus-negative lymphocytic myocarditis is still controversial. Conversely, immunosuppression is well established in sarcoidosis, eosinophilic, giant-cell, drug hypersensitivity, and trauma-related myocarditis as well as lymphocytic myocarditis associated with connective tissue diseases or with the rejection of a transplanted heart. Recently, immunosuppressive therapy has been also recognized as an effective treatment in virus-negative inflammatory cardiomyopathy. The aim of this review is to underline the role of immunomodulating and immunosuppressive therapies in patients with immune-mediated myocarditis and illustrate the different treatment strategies depending on the etiology. An endomyocardial biopsy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of myocarditis as well as for a tailored treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Frustaci
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS Lazzaro Spallanzani, 00149 Rome, Italy;
- IRCCS San Raffaele, 00163 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Letizia
- Department of Clinical, Internal, Anaesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.L.); (M.A.); (C.C.)
| | - Maria Alfarano
- Department of Clinical, Internal, Anaesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.L.); (M.A.); (C.C.)
| | - Giulia Marchionni
- Policlinico San Matteo Pavia IRCCS Foundation, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Romina Verardo
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS Lazzaro Spallanzani, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Cristina Chimenti
- Department of Clinical, Internal, Anaesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.L.); (M.A.); (C.C.)
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2
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Wang W, Jia H, Hua X, Song J. New insights gained from cellular landscape changes in myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathy. Heart Fail Rev 2024:10.1007/s10741-024-10406-w. [PMID: 38896377 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-024-10406-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Advances in the etiological classification of myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathy (ICM) have reached a consensus. However, the mechanism of myocarditis/ICM remains unclear, which affects the development of treatment and the improvement of outcome. Cellular transcription and metabolic reprogramming, and the interactions between cardiomyocytes and non-cardiomyocytes, such as the immune cells, contribute to the process of myocarditis/ICM. Recent efforts have been made by multi-omics techniques, particularly in single-cell RNA sequencing, to gain a better understanding of the cellular landscape alteration occurring in disease during the progression. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest studies in myocarditis/ICM, particularly as revealed by single-cell sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiteng Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Preclinical Research and Evaluation for Cardiovascular Implant Materials, Animal Experimental Centre, Fuwai Hospital, National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100037, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 10037, China
| | - Hao Jia
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Preclinical Research and Evaluation for Cardiovascular Implant Materials, Animal Experimental Centre, Fuwai Hospital, National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100037, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 10037, China
| | - Xiumeng Hua
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Preclinical Research and Evaluation for Cardiovascular Implant Materials, Animal Experimental Centre, Fuwai Hospital, National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100037, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 10037, China
| | - Jiangping Song
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Preclinical Research and Evaluation for Cardiovascular Implant Materials, Animal Experimental Centre, Fuwai Hospital, National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100037, China.
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen, 518057, China.
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 10037, China.
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3
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Zafeiri M, Knott K, Lampejo T. Acute myocarditis: an overview of pathogenesis, diagnosis and management. Panminerva Med 2024; 66:174-187. [PMID: 38536007 DOI: 10.23736/s0031-0808.24.05042-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Acute myocarditis encompasses a diverse presentation of inflammatory cardiomyopathies with infectious and non-infectious triggers. The clinical presentation is heterogeneous, from subtle symptoms like mild chest pain to life-threatening fulminant heart failure requiring urgent advanced hemodynamic support. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the pathogenesis, diagnostic approach, management strategies, and directions for future research in acute myocarditis. The pathogenesis of myocarditis involves interplay between the inciting factors and the subsequent host immune response. Infectious causes, especially cardiotropic viruses, are the most frequently identified precipitants. However, autoimmune processes independent of microbial triggers, as well as toxic myocardial injury from drugs, chemicals or metabolic derangements also contribute to the development of myocarditis through diverse mechanisms. Furthermore, medications like immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies are increasingly recognized as causes of myocarditis. Elucidating the nuances of viral, autoimmune, hypersensitivity, and toxic subtypes of myocarditis is key to guiding appropriate therapy. The heterogeneous clinical presentation coupled with non-specific symptoms creates diagnostic challenges. A multifaceted approach is required, incorporating clinical evaluation, electrocardiography, biomarkers, imaging studies, and endomyocardial biopsy. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging has become pivotal for non-invasive assessment of myocardial inflammation and fibrosis. However, biopsy remains the gold standard for histological classification and definitively establishing the underlying etiology. Management relies on supportive care, while disease-specific therapies are limited. Although some patients recover well with conservative measures, severe or fulminant myocarditis necessitates aggressive interventions such as mechanical circulatory support devices and transplantation. While immunosuppression is beneficial in certain histological subtypes, clear evidence supporting antiviral or immunomodulatory therapies for the majority of acute viral myocarditis cases remains insufficient. Substantial knowledge gaps persist regarding validated diagnostic biomarkers, optimal imaging surveillance strategies, evidence-based medical therapies, and risk stratification schema. A deeper understanding of the immunopathological mechanisms, rigorous clinical trials of targeted therapies, and longitudinal outcome studies are imperative to advance management and improve the prognosis across the myocarditis spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Zafeiri
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Temi Lampejo
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK -
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4
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Zawadka-Kunikowska M, Rzepiński Ł, Cieślicka M, Fanslau J, Klawe JJ, Tafil-Klawe M. Correlation between Cardiovascular Autonomic and Pulmonary Ventilation Functions in Myasthenia Gravis Patients. Adv Respir Med 2023; 91:546-559. [PMID: 38131875 PMCID: PMC10740449 DOI: 10.3390/arm91060040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pulmonary function and cardiac autonomic function parameters in clinically stable myasthenia gravis (MG) patients. A total of 22 MG patients and 22 healthy controls (HCs) were evaluated. Pulmonary function test parameters, heart rate variability (HRV), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and cardiovascular autonomic function test parameters (the Valsalva ratio, expiration/inspiration (E/I) ratio) were assessed. Compared with the HCs, the patients demonstrated a similar diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO); a lower forced vital capacity (FVC%pred); a lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%pred); lower BRS and HRV, including high-frequency and total power spectral density; and a higher percentage of abnormal cardiovagal function test results (p < 0.05). A lower BRS in the patient group was associated with worse clinical disease outcomes and reduced pulmonary function (DLCO%pred, R = 0.59; TLC%pred, R = 0.48). Age, forced vital capacity, and total lung capacity predicted the E/I ratio (R2 values ranging from 0.48 to 0.49). Our study demonstrated a significant relationship between a reduced pulmonary ventilation function and respiratory mechanics with cardiovascular autonomic parameters, including the E/I ratio, BRS, and HRV measures at rest, as shown in the MG group. Future studies should focus on the interplay between respiratory and autonomic function testing, as well as pulmonary rehabilitation, to mitigate cardiovascular risk in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Zawadka-Kunikowska
- Department of Human Physiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Karłowicza 24, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.C.); (J.F.); (M.T.-K.)
| | - Łukasz Rzepiński
- Sanitas—Neurology Outpatient Clinic, Dworcowa 110, 85-010 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
- Department of Neurology, 10th Military Research Hospital and Polyclinic, 85-681 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Mirosława Cieślicka
- Department of Human Physiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Karłowicza 24, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.C.); (J.F.); (M.T.-K.)
| | - Joanna Fanslau
- Department of Human Physiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Karłowicza 24, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.C.); (J.F.); (M.T.-K.)
| | - Jacek J. Klawe
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe
- Department of Human Physiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Karłowicza 24, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.C.); (J.F.); (M.T.-K.)
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5
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Zawadka-Kunikowska M, Rzepiński Ł, Tafil-Klawe M, Veronese N, Barbagallo M, Habek M, Gilhus NE. Altered Cardiac Autonomic Regulation in Individuals with Myasthenia Gravis-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Neurol Int 2023; 15:1140-1154. [PMID: 37755362 PMCID: PMC10537350 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint15030071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to determine differences in cardiovascular autonomic parameters between patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and healthy controls (HCs). Two reviewers searched four electronic databases, namely PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and SCOPUS, from database inception to 7 July 2023 for studies investigating cardiovascular autonomic parameters in MG vs. HCs. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to compute Hedges' g ± 95% confidence intervals (CI). Out of a total of 2200 records, 8 observational studies with a sample size of 301 patients with MG and 454 HCs were included in the systematic review. Meta-analysis revealed lower values of expiration/inspiration ratio (g = -0.45, I2 = 74.7), baroreflex sensitivity (g = -0.56, 95%CI -0.80, -0.33; I2 = 0.3), percentage of adjacent NN intervals differing by more than 50 ms (g = -1.2, I2 = 82.8), square root of the mean of squared differences between successive beat intervals (g = -1.94, I2 = 95.1), mean of the standard deviations of all NN intervals (g = -0.83, 95%CI -1.37, -0.28; I2 = 55.5), and high frequency of HRV during tilt (g = -0.75, 95%CI -0.11, -0.39; I2 = 0). MG patients vs. HCs had higher systolic blood pressure (g = 0.39; I2 = 56.1), sympathovagal balance at rest/during tilt (LF/HF-RRIsupine, g = 0.44; I2 = 0; LF/HF-RRItilt, g = 0.86; I2 = 0; LF/HFtilt, g = 0.40; I2 = 0). As a group, MG patients have altered cardiac autonomic function, including decreased parasympathetic function, lower baroreflex sensitivity, and higher sympathovagal balance at rest and during orthostatic challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Zawadka-Kunikowska
- Department of Human Physiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Karłowicza 24, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Łukasz Rzepiński
- Sanitas—Neurology Outpatient Clinic, Dworcowa 110, 85-010 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
- Department of Neurology, 10th Military Research Hospital and Polyclinic, 85-681 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe
- Department of Human Physiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Karłowicza 24, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Nicola Veronese
- Geriatrics Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (N.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Geriatrics Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (N.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Mario Habek
- Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Autonomic Nervous System Disorders, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nils E. Gilhus
- Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway;
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
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6
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He W, Zhou L, Xu K, Li H, Wang JJ, Chen C, Wang D. Immunopathogenesis and immunomodulatory therapy for myocarditis. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:2112-2137. [PMID: 37002488 PMCID: PMC10066028 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2273-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Myocarditis is an inflammatory cardiac disease characterized by the destruction of myocardial cells, infiltration of interstitial inflammatory cells, and fibrosis, and is becoming a major public health concern. The aetiology of myocarditis continues to broaden as new pathogens and drugs emerge. The relationship between immune checkpoint inhibitors, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, vaccines against coronavirus disease-2019, and myocarditis has attracted increased attention. Immunopathological processes play an important role in the different phases of myocarditis, affecting disease occurrence, development, and prognosis. Excessive immune activation can induce severe myocardial injury and lead to fulminant myocarditis, whereas chronic inflammation can lead to cardiac remodelling and inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy. The use of immunosuppressive treatments, particularly cytotoxic agents, for myocarditis, remains controversial. While reasonable and effective immunomodulatory therapy is the general trend. This review focuses on the current understanding of the aetiology and immunopathogenesis of myocarditis and offers new perspectives on immunomodulatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu He
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ling Zhou
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Huihui Li
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - James Jiqi Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - DaoWen Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Brociek E, Tymińska A, Giordani AS, Caforio ALP, Wojnicz R, Grabowski M, Ozierański K. Myocarditis: Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Their Implications in Clinical Practice. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:874. [PMID: 37372158 PMCID: PMC10295542 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium caused by infectious or non-infectious agents. It can lead to serious short-term and long-term sequalae, such as sudden cardiac death or dilated cardiomyopathy. Due to its heterogenous clinical presentation and disease course, challenging diagnosis and limited evidence for prognostic stratification, myocarditis poses a great challenge to clinicians. As it stands, the pathogenesis and etiology of myocarditis is only partially understood. Moreover, the impact of certain clinical features on risk assessment, patient outcomes and treatment options is not entirely clear. Such data, however, are essential in order to personalize patient care and implement novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we discuss the possible etiologies of myocarditis, outline the key processes governing its pathogenesis and summarize best available evidence regarding patient outcomes and state-of-the-art therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Brociek
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (M.G.); (K.O.)
| | - Agata Tymińska
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (M.G.); (K.O.)
| | - Andrea Silvio Giordani
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35-100 Padova, Italy; (A.S.G.); (A.L.P.C.)
| | - Alida Linda Patrizia Caforio
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35-100 Padova, Italy; (A.S.G.); (A.L.P.C.)
| | - Romuald Wojnicz
- Department of Histology and Cell Pathology in Zabrze, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Marcin Grabowski
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (M.G.); (K.O.)
| | - Krzysztof Ozierański
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (E.B.); (M.G.); (K.O.)
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8
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Grzechocińska J, Tymińska A, Giordani AS, Wysińska J, Ostrowska E, Baritussio A, Caforio ALP, Grabowski M, Marcolongo R, Ozierański K. Immunosuppressive Therapy of Biopsy-Proven, Virus-Negative, Autoimmune/Immune-Mediated Myocarditis-Focus on Azathioprine: A Review of Existing Evidence and Future Perspectives. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:356. [PMID: 36979048 PMCID: PMC10044979 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
The use of immunosuppressive therapy (IT) in biopsy-proven, autoimmune/immune-mediated (AI), virus-negative myocarditis has become the standard of care. In particular, according to recent guidelines, azathioprine (AZA), in association with steroids, is a cornerstone of first-line therapy regimens. IT may have a crucial impact on the natural history of AI myocarditis, preventing its progression to end-stage heart failure, cardiovascular death, or heart transplantation, provided that strict appropriateness and safety criteria are observed. In particular, AZA treatment for AI virus-negative myocarditis requires the consideration of some crucial aspects regarding its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as a high index of suspicion to detect its overt and/or subclinical side effects. Importantly, besides a tight teamwork with a clinical immunologist/immuno-rheumatologist, before starting IT, it is also necessary to carry out a careful "safety check-list" in order to rule out possible contraindications to IT and minimize patient's risk. The aim of this review is to describe the pharmacological properties of AZA, as well as to discuss practical aspects of its clinical use, in the light of existing evidence, with particular regard to the new field of cardioimmunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Grzechocińska
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Tymińska
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrea Silvio Giordani
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35-100 Padova, Italy
| | - Julia Wysińska
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Ostrowska
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Baritussio
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35-100 Padova, Italy
| | - Alida Linda Patrizia Caforio
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35-100 Padova, Italy
| | - Marcin Grabowski
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Renzo Marcolongo
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35-100 Padova, Italy
| | - Krzysztof Ozierański
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
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9
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Feng G, Zhu C, Lin CY, Bredemeyer A, Förster I, Kreisel D, Lavine KJ. CCL17 Protects Against Viral Myocarditis by Suppressing the Recruitment of Regulatory T Cells. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e028442. [PMID: 36752267 PMCID: PMC10111487 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.028442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Background Viral myocarditis is characterized by leukocyte infiltration of the heart and cardiomyocyte death. We recently identified C-C chemokine ligand (CCL) 17 as a proinflammatory effector of C-C chemokine receptor 2-positive macrophages and dendritic cells that are recruited to the heart and contribute to adverse left ventricular remodeling following myocardial infarction and pressure overload. Methods and Results Mouse encephalomyocarditis virus was used to investigate the function of CCL17 in a viral myocarditis model. Ccl17Gfp reporter and knockout mice were used to identify the cell types that express CCL17 and delineate the functional importance of CCL17 in encephalomyocarditis virus clearance and myocardial inflammation. Cardiac CCL17 was expressed in C-C chemokine receptor 2-positive macrophages and dendritic cells following encephalomyocarditis virus infection. Colony-stimulating factor 2 (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) signaling was identified as a key regulator of CCL17 expression. Ccl17 deletion resulted in impaired encephalomyocarditis virus clearance, increased cardiomyocyte death, and higher mortality during infection early stage, and aggravated hypertrophy and fibrotic responses in infection long-term stage. An increased abundance of regulatory T cells was detected in the myocardium of injured Ccl17-deficient mice. Depletion of regulatory T cells in Ccl17-deficient mice abrogated the detrimental role of CCL17 deletion by restoring interferon signaling. Conclusions Collectively, these findings identify CCL17 as an important mediator of the host immune response during cardiac viral infection early stage and suggest that CCL17 targeted therapies should be avoided in acute viral myocarditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoshuai Feng
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis MO
| | - Cuige Zhu
- Division of Oncology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis MO
| | - Chieh-Yu Lin
- Department of Pathology and Immunology Washington University St. Louis MO
| | - Andrea Bredemeyer
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis MO
| | - Irmgard Förster
- Immunology and Environment, LIMES Institute University of Bonn Germany
| | - Daniel Kreisel
- Department of Surgery Washington University St. Louis MO
| | - Kory J Lavine
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis MO.,Department of Pathology and Immunology Washington University St. Louis MO.,Department of Developmental Biology Washington University St. Louis MO
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10
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Vidusa L, Kalejs O, Maca-Kaleja A, Strumfa I. Role of Endomyocardial Biopsy in Diagnostics of Myocarditis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12092104. [PMID: 36140505 PMCID: PMC9497694 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12092104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Endomyocardial biopsy as the cornerstone of diagnostics has been re-evaluated throughout the years, leaving unanswered questions on the precedence of it. The reported incidence of myocarditis has increased during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), reinforcing discussions on appropriate diagnostics of myocarditis. By analysis of evidence-based literature published within the last demi-decade, we aimed to summarize the most recent information in order to evaluate the current role of endomyocardial biopsy in diagnostics and management of myocarditis. For the most part, research published over the last five years showed ongoing uncertainty regarding the use, informativeness, safety and necessity of performing a biopsy. Special circumstances, such as fulminant clinical course or failure to respond to empirical treatment, were reconfirmed as justified indications, with a growing applicability of non-invasive diagnostic approaches for most other cases. We concluded that endomyocardial biopsy, if performed properly and with adjunct diagnostic methods, holds a critical role for treatment correction in specific histological subtypes of myocarditis and for differential diagnosis between immune-mediated myocarditis and secondary infections due to immunosuppressive treatment. A high level of possible misdiagnosing was detected, indicating the need to review terminology used to describe findings of myocardial inflammation that did not meet Dallas criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liga Vidusa
- Department of Pathology, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Oskars Kalejs
- Department of Internal Medicine, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Latvian Centre of Cardiology, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, 13 Pilsonu Street, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Aija Maca-Kaleja
- Department of Internal Medicine, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Latvian Centre of Cardiology, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, 13 Pilsonu Street, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ilze Strumfa
- Department of Pathology, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Correspondence:
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11
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Chimenti C, Russo MA, Frustaci A. Immunosuppressive therapy in virus-negative inflammatory cardiomyopathy: 20-year follow-up of the TIMIC trial. Eur Heart J 2022; 43:3463-3473. [PMID: 35831932 PMCID: PMC9492235 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Long-term results of the Tailored IMmunosuppression in virus-negative Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy (TIMIC) trial protocol have been evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS Eighty-five patients with endomyocardial biopsy-proven virus-negative chronic inflammatory cardiomyopathy were enrolled in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled TIMIC trial and received prednisone and azathioprine (n = 43) vs. placebo (n = 42) for 6 months. Immunosuppressive treatment promoted an improvement in cardiac function in 88% of the cases compared with none of the patients in the placebo group, which were switched to a 6-month immunosuppressive therapy at the end of the 6-month study period. Long-term (up to 20 years) clinical outcomes of the whole cohort of 85 patients originally enrolled in the TIMIC trial (Group A) were compared with those of a 1:2 propensity score-matched control cohort of patients untreated with the TIMIC protocol (Group B) and followed for a comparable period of time. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death and heart transplantation. At long-term follow-up, the risk of cardiovascular death [hazard ratio (HR) 6.77; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.36-19.45] and heart transplantation (HR 7.92; 95% CI 1.80-34.88) was significantly higher in Group B patients. Group A showed a persistent improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction compared with Group B (HR 7.24; 95% CI 3.05-17.18). A higher number of Group B patients underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation. The incidence of recurrent myocarditis was similar between groups, and patients with evidence of a recurrent cardiac inflammatory process promptly responded to a TIMIC protocol application. CONCLUSION Virus-negative inflammatory cardiomyopathy benefits from immunosuppressive therapy even after long-term follow-up. Recurrence appears to respond to a new TIMIC protocol application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Chimenti
- Department of Clinical, Internal, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy,Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Lab, IRCCS ‘L. Spallanzani’, Rome, Italy
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12
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Baritussio A, Schiavo A, Basso C, Giordani AS, Cheng CY, Pontara E, Cattini MG, Bison E, Gallo N, De Gaspari M, Carturan E, Thiene G, Tarantini G, Plebani M, Rizzo S, Gregori D, Iliceto S, Marcolongo R, Caforio ALP. Predictors of relapse, death or heart transplantation in myocarditis before the introduction of immunosuppression: negative prognostic impact of female gender, fulminant onset, lower ejection fraction and serum autoantibodies. Eur J Heart Fail 2022; 24:1033-1044. [PMID: 35377503 DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.2496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Outcome predictors in myocarditis are not well defined; we aimed at identifying predictors of death, heart transplantation (HTx) and relapse before the introduction of immunosuppression. METHODS AND RESULTS From 1992 to 2012 we consecutively included 466 patients (68% male, 37±17 years, single centre recruitment, median follow-up 50 months), 216 with clinically suspected and 250 with biopsy (Bx)-proven myocarditis. Serum anti heart (AHA) and antiintercalated disk (AIDA) auto-antibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence. We performed univariable and multivariable analysis of clinical and diagnostic features at diagnosis. Survival free from death or HTx at 10 years was 83% in the whole group and was lower in Bx- proven vs. clinically suspected myocarditis (76% vs 94% respectively, p<0.001). Female gender (hazard ratio (HR) 2.7, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 1.1-6.5), fulminant presentation (HR 13.77, CI 9.7-261.73), high-titre organ-specific AHA (HR 4.2, CI 1.2-14.7) and anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) (HR 5.2, CI 2.1-12.8) were independent predictors of death or HTx; higher echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at diagnosis was protective, with a 0.93 times risk reduction for each 1% LVEF increase (CI 0.89-0.96). History of myocarditis at diagnosis (HR 8.5, CI 3.5-20.7) was independent predictor of myocarditis relapse at follow-up; older age was protective (HR 0.95, CI 0.91-0.99). Predictors of death, HTx and relapse did not differ in Bx-proven vs. clinically suspected myocarditis. CONCLUSIONS Young age and a previous myocarditis were independent relapse predictors; female gender, fulminant onset, lower LVEF at presentation and high-titre organ-specific AHA and ANA were independent predictors of death and HTx, suggesting that autoimmune features predict worse prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Baritussio
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Schiavo
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Basso
- Cardiac Pathology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Andrea Silvio Giordani
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Chun-Yan Cheng
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Pontara
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Cattini
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elisa Bison
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Gallo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Monica De Gaspari
- Cardiac Pathology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elisa Carturan
- Cardiac Pathology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gaetano Thiene
- Cardiac Pathology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tarantini
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Mario Plebani
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefania Rizzo
- Cardiac Pathology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Dario Gregori
- Statistics, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sabino Iliceto
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Renzo Marcolongo
- Haematology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alida Linda Patrizia Caforio
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Ammirati E, Bizzi E, Veronese G, Groh M, Van de Heyning CM, Lehtonen J, Pineton de Chambrun M, Cereda A, Picchi C, Trotta L, Moslehi JJ, Brucato A. Immunomodulating Therapies in Acute Myocarditis and Recurrent/Acute Pericarditis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:838564. [PMID: 35350578 PMCID: PMC8958011 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.838564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of inflammatory disease of the heart or "cardio-immunology" is rapidly evolving due to the wider use of non-invasive diagnostic tools able to detect and monitor myocardial inflammation. In acute myocarditis, recent data on the use of immunomodulating therapies have been reported both in the setting of systemic autoimmune disorders and in the setting of isolated forms, especially in patients with specific histology (e.g., eosinophilic myocarditis) or with an arrhythmicburden. A role for immunosuppressive therapies has been also shown in severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a condition that can be associated with cardiac injury and acute myocarditis. Furthermore, ongoing clinical trials are assessing the role of high dosage methylprednisolone in the context of acute myocarditis complicated by heart failure or fulminant presentation or the role of anakinra to treat patients with acute myocarditis excluding patients with hemodynamically unstable conditions. In addition, the explosion of immune-mediated therapies in oncology has introduced new pathophysiological entities, such as immune-checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis and new basic research models to understand the interaction between the cardiac and immune systems. Here we provide a broad overview of evolving areas in cardio-immunology. We summarize the use of new imaging tools in combination with endomyocardial biopsy and laboratory parameters such as high sensitivity troponin to monitor the response to immunomodulating therapies based on recent evidence and clinical experience. Concerning pericarditis, the normal composition of pericardial fluid has been recently elucidated, allowing to assess the actual presence of inflammation; indeed, normal pericardial fluid is rich in nucleated cells, protein, albumin, LDH, at levels consistent with inflammatory exudates in other biological fluids. Importantly, recent findings showed how innate immunity plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of recurrent pericarditis with raised C-reactive protein, with inflammasome and IL-1 overproduction as drivers for systemic inflammatory response. In the era of tailored medicine, anti-IL-1 agents such as anakinra and rilonacept have been demonstrated highly effective in patients with recurrent pericarditis associated with an inflammatory phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Ammirati
- De Gasperis Cardio Center and Transplant Center, Niguarda Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Emanuele Bizzi
- Internal Medicine, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Giacomo Veronese
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Matthieu Groh
- National Reference Center for Hypereosinophilic Syndromes, CEREO, Suresnes, France
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France
| | - Caroline M. Van de Heyning
- Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, and GENCOR Research Group, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jukka Lehtonen
- Department of Cardiology, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marc Pineton de Chambrun
- Sorbonne Université, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Hôpital La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Médecine Intensive-Réanimation, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, APHP, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Médecine Interne 2, Centre de Référence National Lupus et SAPL et Autres Maladies Auto-immunes et Systémiques Rares, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMRS_1166-ICAN, ICAN, Paris, France
| | - Alberto Cereda
- Cardiovascular Department, Association Socio Sanitary Territorial Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Picchi
- Internal Medicine, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia Trotta
- Internal Medicine, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Javid J. Moslehi
- Section of Cardio-Oncology and Immunology, Division of Cardiology and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Antonio Brucato
- Internal Medicine, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Milano, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco, ” Fatebenefratelli Hospital, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
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14
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Tymińska A, Ozierański K, Skwarek A, Kapłon-Cieślicka A, Baritussio A, Grabowski M, Marcolongo R, Caforio ALP. Personalized Management of Myocarditis and Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy in Clinical Practice. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12020183. [PMID: 35207671 PMCID: PMC8874629 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocarditis is an inflammatory heart disease induced by infectious and non-infectious causes frequently triggering immune-mediated pathologic mechanisms leading to myocardial damage and dysfunction. In approximately half of the patients, acute myocarditis resolves spontaneously while in the remaining cases, it may evolve into serious complications including inflammatory cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, death, or heart transplantation. Due to the large variability in clinical presentation, unpredictable course of the disease, and lack of established causative treatment, myocarditis represents a challenging diagnosis in modern cardiology. Moreover, an increase in the incidence of myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathy has been observed in recent years. However, there is a growing potential of available non-invasive diagnostic methods (biomarkers, serum anti-heart autoantibodies (AHA), microRNAs, speckle tracking echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance T1 and T2 tissue mapping, positron emission tomography), which may refine the diagnostic workup and/or noninvasive follow-up. Personalized management should include the use of endomyocardial biopsy and AHA, which may allow the etiopathogenetic subsets of myocarditis (infectious, non-infectious, and/or immune-mediated) to be distinguished and implementation of disease-specific therapies. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathy, and outline some practical diagnostic, therapeutic, and follow-up algorithms to facilitate comprehensive individualized management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Tymińska
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (A.T.); (A.S.); (A.K.-C.); (M.G.)
| | - Krzysztof Ozierański
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (A.T.); (A.S.); (A.K.-C.); (M.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-599-29-58; Fax: +48-22-599-19-57
| | - Aleksandra Skwarek
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (A.T.); (A.S.); (A.K.-C.); (M.G.)
| | - Agnieszka Kapłon-Cieślicka
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (A.T.); (A.S.); (A.K.-C.); (M.G.)
| | - Anna Baritussio
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 2-35128 Padova, Italy; (A.B.); (R.M.); (A.L.C.)
| | - Marcin Grabowski
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (A.T.); (A.S.); (A.K.-C.); (M.G.)
| | - Renzo Marcolongo
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 2-35128 Padova, Italy; (A.B.); (R.M.); (A.L.C.)
| | - Alida LP Caforio
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 2-35128 Padova, Italy; (A.B.); (R.M.); (A.L.C.)
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15
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Müller
- Department of Cardiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Leslie T Cooper
- Department of Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Bettina Heidecker
- Department of Cardiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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16
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Baritussio A, Giordani AS, Rizzo S, Masiero G, Iliceto S, Marcolongo R, Caforio AL. Management of myocarditis in clinical practice. Minerva Cardiol Angiol 2021; 70:273-284. [PMID: 34713675 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5683.21.05732-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Myocarditis is an inflammatory heart muscle disease characterised by heterogeneous clinical presentation and outcome. Clinical heterogeneity of myocarditis, ranging from acute onset chest pain with electrocardiographic changes resembling an acute coronary syndrome, to arrhythmic storm and chronic decompensated heart failure, makes diagnosis challenging. A correct diagnosis is however key to proper patients' management and should always be aimed at. Although a definite diagnosis is only provided by endomyocardial biopsy, the European Society of Cardiology task force on myocardial and pericardial diseases provided specific criteria for the diagnosis of clinically suspected myocarditis, which has been facilitated by the advent of non invasive imaging tests (i.e. cardiovascular magnetic resonance based myocardial tissue characterization). Due to the heterogeneous presentation and disease course of myocarditis, a tailored treatment would be the best strategy, but a standardised management is still not available. Over the years, however, new, promising, therapies, such as anti-viral and immune-suppressive treatment, have come side by side to the standard pharmacological heart treatment, i.e. anti-heart failure medications. In this paper we will review the basic principles of myocarditis management in clinical practice, including diagnostic work-up, conventional and disease-specific therapy and patients' follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Baritussio
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua and Azienda Ospedale Università Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Andrea S Giordani
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua and Azienda Ospedale Università Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefania Rizzo
- Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua and Azienda Ospedale Università Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Giulia Masiero
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua and Azienda Ospedale Università Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Sabino Iliceto
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua and Azienda Ospedale Università Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Renzo Marcolongo
- Haematology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua and Azienda Ospedale Università Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Alida L Caforio
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua and Azienda Ospedale Università Padova, Padua, Italy -
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17
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Occurrence, Trends, Management and Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized with Clinically Suspected Myocarditis-Ten-Year Perspectives from the MYO-PL Nationwide Database. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10204672. [PMID: 34682794 PMCID: PMC8539273 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10204672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidemiology of myocarditis is unknown and based mainly on small single-centre studies. The study aimed to evaluate the current incidence, clinical characteristics, management and outcomes of patients hospitalized due to myocarditis in a general population. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04827706). The nationwide MYO-PL (the occurrence, trends, management and outcomes of patients with myocarditis in Poland) database (years 2009–2020) was created to identify hospitalization records with a primary diagnosis of myocarditis according to the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD 10), derived from the database of the national healthcare insurer. We identified 19,978 patients who were hospitalized with suspected myocarditis for the first time, of whom 74% were male. The standardized incidence rate of myocarditis ranged from 1.15 to 14 per 100,000 people depending on the age group and was the highest in patients aged 16–20 years. The overall incidence increased with time. The performance of the recommended diagnostic tests (in particular, endomyocardial biopsy) was low. Relative five-year survival ranged from 0.99 to 0.56—worse in younger females and older males. During a five-year follow-up, 6% of patients (3.7% and 6.9% in females and males, respectively) were re-hospitalized for myocarditis. Surprisingly, females more frequently required hospitalization due to heart failure/cardiomyopathy (10.5%) and atrial fibrillation (5%) than compared to males (7.3% and 2.2%, respectively) in the five-year follow up. In the last ten years, the incidence of suspected myocarditis increased, particularly in males. Survival rates for patients with myocarditis were worse than in the general population. Management of myocarditis requires significant improvement.
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18
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Caforio ALP, Baritussio A, Basso C, Marcolongo R. Clinically Suspected and Biopsy-Proven Myocarditis Temporally Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Annu Rev Med 2021; 73:149-166. [PMID: 34506211 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-med-042220-023859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
We review current data on clinically suspected [European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2013 criteria] and biopsy-proven [ESC and World Health Organization (WHO) criteria] myocarditis that is temporally associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. ESC/WHO etiological diagnosis of viral myocarditis is based on histological, and immunohistological evidence of nonischemic myocyte necrosis and monolymphocytic infiltration, i.e., myocarditis, plus the identification of a specific cardiotropic virus by molecular techniques, in particular polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/in-situ hybridization, on endomyocardial biopsy (EMB)/autopsy tissue. There is not yet definitive EMB/autopsy proof that SARS-CoV-2 causes direct cardiomyocyte damage in association with histological myocarditis. Clinical epidemiology data suggest that myocarditis is uncommon for both SARS-CoV-2-positive and -negative PCR cases. We hypothesize that the rare virus-negative biopsy-proven cases may represent new-onset immune-mediated or latent pre-existing autoimmune forms, triggered or fostered by the hyperinflammatory state of severe COVID-19. We recommend the application of the ESC/WHO definitions and diagnostic criteria in future reports to avoid low-quality scientific information leading to an inaccurate estimate of myocarditis incidence based on misdiagnosis. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Medicine, Volume 73 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alida L P Caforio
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Anna Baritussio
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Cristina Basso
- Division of Cardiovascular Pathology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Renzo Marcolongo
- Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
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19
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Caforio ALP. Myocarditis: endomyocardial biopsy and circulating anti-heart autoantibodies are key to diagnosis and personalized etiology-directed treatment. Eur Heart J 2021; 42:1618-1620. [PMID: 33538808 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alida L P Caforio
- Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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