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Jiang J, Shu H, Wang DW, Hui R, Li C, Ran X, Wang H, Zhang J, Nie S, Cui G, Xiang D, Shao Q, Xu S, Zhou N, Li Y, Gao W, Chen Y, Bian Y, Wang G, Xia L, Wang Y, Zhao C, Zhang Z, Zhao Y, Wang J, Chen S, Jiang H, Chen J, Du X, Chen M, Sun Y, Li S, Ding H, Ma X, Zeng H, Lin L, Zhou S, Ma L, Tao L, Chen J, Zhou Y, Guo X. Chinese Society of Cardiology guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of adult fulminant myocarditis. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:913-939. [PMID: 38332216 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2421-0] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Fulminant myocarditis is an acute diffuse inflammatory disease of myocardium. It is characterized by acute onset, rapid progress and high risk of death. Its pathogenesis involves excessive immune activation of the innate immune system and formation of inflammatory storm. According to China's practical experience, the adoption of the "life support-based comprehensive treatment regimen" (with mechanical circulation support and immunomodulation therapy as the core) can significantly improve the survival rate and long-term prognosis. Special emphasis is placed on very early identification,very early diagnosis,very early prediction and very early treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangang Jiang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hongyang Shu
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Dao Wen Wang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Rutai Hui
- Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Chenze Li
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Xiao Ran
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Fuwai Huazhong Cardiovascular Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Shaoping Nie
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Guanglin Cui
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Dingcheng Xiang
- Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, Guangzhou, 510010, China
| | - Qun Shao
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Shengyong Xu
- Union Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ning Zhou
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuming Li
- Taida Hospital, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuguo Chen
- Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Yuan Bian
- Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Guoping Wang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Liming Xia
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chunxia Zhao
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhiren Zhang
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yuhua Zhao
- Kanghua Hospital, Dongguan, Guangzhou, 523080, China
| | - Jianan Wang
- Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Shaoliang Chen
- Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianjin Du
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Wuhan, China
| | - Mao Chen
- West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, China
| | - Yinxian Sun
- First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110002, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hu Ding
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xueping Ma
- General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750003, China
| | - Hesong Zeng
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Li Lin
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shenghua Zhou
- The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410012, China
| | - Likun Ma
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230002, China
| | - Ling Tao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Central Hospital of Wuhan City, Wuhan, 430014, China
| | - Yiwu Zhou
- Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaomei Guo
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
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Caforio ALP, Vinci A, Iliceto S. Anti-heart autoantibodies in familial dilated cardiomyopathy. Autoimmunity 2008; 41:462-9. [PMID: 18781472 DOI: 10.1080/08916930802031546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Familial aggregation is a feature of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Myocarditis, a clinically polymorphic inflammatory disease of the myocardium, is diagnosed by endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) and may lead to DCM. Mutations in several genes encoding myocyte structural proteins are known monogenic DCM causes, but because of high etiologic and genetic heterogeneity, the gene defects identified so far account for a minority of cases. In the last decade, it has been discovered that autoimmunity plays a pivotal role in myocarditis and DCM that are thought to represent different stages of an organ-specific autoimmune disease in genetically predisposed individuals. None of the available genetic studies in familial DCM has taken into account the autoimmune phenotype markers in the characterization of index patients and relatives, thus it is not known whether or not the described gene defects are involved in the autoimmune form of the disease. In animal models autoimmune myocarditis/DCM can be induced by viral infection, immunization with heart-specific autoantigens, or develop spontaneously in genetically predisposed strains. It may be cell or antibody-mediated; susceptibility is based upon multiple MHC and non-MHC genes. In patients, the diagnosis of autoimmune myocarditis/DCM requires exclusion of viral genome on EMB and detection of serum heart-reactive autoantibodies. They are found in index patients and relatives from about 60% of both familial and non-familial pedigrees and predict DCM development among healthy relatives. Some antibodies have functional effects on cardiac myocytes in vitro, in animal models and possibly in a DCM subset without inflammation, responsive to extracorporeal immunoadsorption. Cardiac-specific autoantibodies, which are shown to be disease-specific for myocarditis/DCM, can be used as biomarkers for identifying patients in whom, in the absence of active infection of the myocardium, immunosuppression and/or immunomodulation may be beneficial and their relatives at risk. Future studies should clarify genetic basis of human autoimmune myocarditis/DCM as well as genotype/immune phenotype correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alida L P Caforio
- Department of Cardiological, Division of Cardiology, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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Daniels MD, Hyland KV, Wang K, Engman DM. Recombinant cardiac myosin fragment induces experimental autoimmune myocarditis via activation of Th1 and Th17 immunity. Autoimmunity 2008; 41:490-9. [PMID: 18781477 DOI: 10.1080/08916930802167902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The specificity and function of T helper (Th) immune responses underlying the induction, progression, and resolution of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in A/J mice are unclear. Published data suggest involvement of both Th1 and Th2 responses in EAM; however, the previous inability to assess antigen-specific in vivo and in vitro T-cell responses in cardiac myosin-immunized animals has confounded our understanding of this important model of autoimmune myocarditis. The goal of our study was to develop an alternative model of EAM based on a recombinant fragment of cardiac myosin, in hopes that the recombinant protein will permit measurement of functional T-cell responses that is not possible with purified native protein. A/J mice immunized with a recombinant fragment of cardiac myosin spanning amino acids 1074-1646, termed Myo4, developed severe myocarditis characterized by cardiac hypertrophy, massive mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis, three weeks post-immunization. The mice also developed an IgG1 dominant humoral immune response specific for both Myo4 and purified cardiac myosin. The in vitro stimulation of splenocytes harvested from Myo4-immunized animals with Myo4 resulted in cellular proliferation with preferential production of the Th1- and Th17-associated cytokines, IFN-gamma, IL-17, and IL-6, respectively. Production of IL-4 was negligible by comparison. This study describes a new model of EAM, inducible by immunization with a specific fragment of cardiac myosin, from which antigen-specific analyses reveal an importance for both Th1 and Th17 immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin D Daniels
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Myocarditis is a clinically heterogeneous myocardial inflammatory disease, diagnosed by endomyocardial biopsy; it may be idiopathic, infectious, or autoimmune and may lead to dilated cardiomyopathy. Myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy represent different stages of an organ-specific autoimmune disease in genetically predisposed individuals. RECENT FINDINGS In animal models, cell-mediated or antibody-mediated autoimmune myocarditis/dilated cardiomyopathy can be induced by viral infection or immunization with heart-specific autoantigens, or can develop spontaneously in genetically predisposed strains. Susceptibility is based on multiple major histocompatibility complex and nonmajor histocompatibility complex genes. In patients the diagnosis of autoimmune myocarditis/dilated cardiomyopathy requires exclusion of viral genome on endomyocardial biopsy and detection of serum heart-reactive autoantibodies. They are directed against multiple antigens that are found in patients and relatives from about 60% of familial and nonfamilial pedigrees. They predict dilated cardiomyopathy development among relatives, years before disease. Some antibodies have functional effects on cardiac myocytes in vitro, in animals and possibly in a dilated cardiomyopathy subset, responsive to extracorporeal immunoadsorption. SUMMARY In myocarditis/dilated cardiomyopathy, cardiac-specific and disease-specific antibodies of IgG class are potential biomarkers for identifying 'at risk' relatives as well as those patients in whom, in the absence of active infection of the myocardium, immunosuppression, and/or immunomodulation may be beneficial. Future studies should better define the genetic basis of human autoimmune myocarditis/dilated cardiomyopathy.
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Caforio ALP, Tona F, Bottaro S, Vinci A, Dequal G, Daliento L, Thiene G, Iliceto S. Clinical implications of anti-heart autoantibodies in myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. Autoimmunity 2008; 41:35-45. [PMID: 18176863 DOI: 10.1080/08916930701619235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a leading cause of heart failure and heart transplantation in younger adults, is characterized by dilatation and impaired contraction of the left or both ventricles; it may be idiopathic, familial/genetic (20-30%), viral, and/or immune. On endomyocardial biopsy there is chronic inflammation in 30-40% of cases. Mutations in genes encoding myocyte structural proteins, cardiotoxic noxae and infectious agents are known causes; due to high aetiologic and genetic heterogeneity, the gene defects identified so far account for a tiny proportion of the familial cases. In at least two thirds of patients, DCM remains idiopathic. Myocarditis may be idiopathic, infectious or autoimmune and may heal or lead to DCM. Circulating heart-reactive autoantibodies are found in myocarditis/DCM patients and symptom-free relatives at higher frequency than in normal or noninflammatory heart disease control groups. These autoantibodies are directed against multiple antigens, some of which are expressed only in the heart (organ-specific); some autoantibodies have functional effects on cardiac myocytes in vitro as well as in animal models. Depletion of nonantigen-specific antibodies by extracorporeal immunoadsorption is associated with improved ventricular function and reduced cardiac symptoms in some DCM patients, suggesting that autoantibodies may also have a functional role in humans. Immunosuppression seems beneficial in patients who are virus-negative and cardiac autoantibody positive. Prospective family studies have shown that cardiac-specific autoantibodies are present in at least 60% of both familial and non familial pedigrees and predict DCM development among asymptomatic relatives, years before clinical and echocardiographic evidence of disease. Animal models have shown that autoimmune myocarditis/DCM can be induced by virus as well as reproduced by immunization with a well-characterized autoantigen, cardiac myosin. Thus, in a substantial proportion of patients, myocarditis and DCM represent different stages of an organ-specific autoimmune disease, that represents the final common pathogenetic pathway of infectious and noninfectious myocardial injuries in genetically predisposed individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alida L P Caforio
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiological, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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Abstract
Myocarditis represents a heterogeneous final common pathway for myocardial inflammation of diverse etiologies and accounts for up to one-third of cases of dilated cardiomyopathy. The pathophysiology of viral myocarditis can be disaggregated into the effects of direct viral mediated injury, triggered acute and chronic autoimmune responses, and subsequent adverse remodeling. Recent research highlights the pathogenic role of persistent viral genome expression, Fas-ligand, tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor 1, and antimyosin autoantibodies in the evolution of chronic systolic and diastolic heart failure. Recent refinements in endomyocardial biopsy evaluation, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and cytokine assays augment existing diagnostic modalities. Novel specific immunosuppressive targets aimed at interrupting myocyte injury and apoptosis, including interferon-beta seem promising to date in small clinical studies performed on selected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Ellis
- From the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-8802, USA
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Bahk TJ, Daniels MD, Leon JS, Wang K, Engman DM. Comparison of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition and angiotensin II receptor blockade for the prevention of experimental autoimmune myocarditis. Int J Cardiol 2007; 125:85-93. [PMID: 17588693 PMCID: PMC2488158 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2007.04.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2007] [Accepted: 04/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril prevents myosin-induced experimental autoimmune myocarditis. Captopril inhibits production of angiotensin II and increases bradykinin signaling, among other actions. To test whether captopril inhibits disease through blockade of angiotensin signaling, we tested the ability of losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, to prevent myosin-induced myocarditis. A/J mice immunized with the heavy chain of cardiac myosin in complete Freund's adjuvant develop acute myocarditis by day 21 post-immunization, consisting of severe focal inflammation, necrosis and fibrosis. Administration of losartan (250 mg/L in the drinking water) or captopril (75 mg/L in the drinking water) significantly reduced inflammation, necrosis and fibrosis in myosin-immunized mice. The heart weights and the heart weight-to-body weight ratios were also significantly reduced in both treatment groups. However, whereas captopril reduced myosin-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity, losartan did not. Both captopril-treated mice and losartan-treated mice showed a decrease in myosin-specific autoantibody production. Because losartan treatment significantly reduced myocarditis, fibrosis and autoantibody production in EAM, it is likely that prevention of angiotensin II receptor stimulation is a major mechanism underlying the inhibition of myosin-induced myocarditis by captopril.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - David M. Engman
- Corresponding author: David M. Engman, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Ward 6-175, Chicago, Illinois 60611 United States, Phone: +1-312-503-1288, Fax: +1-312-503-1265, E-mail:
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Kardasz I, De Caterina R. Myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries: a conundrum with multiple aetiologies and variable prognosis: an update. J Intern Med 2007; 261:330-48. [PMID: 17391108 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2007.01788.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The existence of myocardial infarction despite angiographically normal coronary arteries was recognized more than 30 years ago. Since then, various series of such patients have been described, but the aetiology and pathogenesis of the condition are still a source of debate. Evidence exists for a role of coronary vasospasm, thrombosis, embolization and inflammation, per se or combined, in determining the occurrence of myocardial infarction in the presence of angiographically normal coronary arteries. Endothelial dysfunction, possibly superimposed to nonangiographically evident atherosclerosis, may be an underlying common feature predisposing to the acute event. Additionally, myocarditis may explain some of these occurrences. Myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries is therefore likely the result of multiple pathogenetic mechanisms. Although most reports emphasize the good prognosis of this condition, in general much better than myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease, prognosis is likely variable according to the underlying mechanism. This review summarizes current knowledge on this condition and examines areas of recent progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Kardasz
- Institute of Cardiology and Center of Excellence on Aging, G. d'Annunzio University - Chieti, Chieti, and CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy
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Caforio ALP, Mahon NG, McKenna WJ. Clinical implications of anti-cardiac immunity in dilated cardiomyopathy. ERNST SCHERING RESEARCH FOUNDATION WORKSHOP 2006:169-93. [PMID: 16329663 DOI: 10.1007/3-540-30822-9_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Criteria of organ-specific autoimmunity are fulfilled in a subset of patients with myocarditis/dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In particular, circulating heart-reactive autoantibodies are found in such patients and symptom-free relatives. These autoantibodies are directed against multiple antigens, some of which are expressed in the heart (organ-specific), others in heart and some skeletal muscle fibres (partially heart-specific) or in heart and skeletal muscle (muscle-specific). Distinct autoantibodies have different frequency in disease and normal controls. Different techniques detect one or more antibodies, thus they cannot be used interchangeably for screening. It is unknown whether the same patients produce more antibodies or different patient groups develop autoimmunity to distinct antigens. IgG antibodies, shown to be cardiac- and disease-specific for myocarditis/DCM, can be used as autoimmune markers for relatives at risk as well as for identifying patients in whom immunosuppression may be beneficial. Some autoantibodies may also have a functional role, but further work is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L P Caforio
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiological, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Centro V Gallucci, Policlinico University of Padua, Padova, Italy.
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Caforio ALP, Daliento L, Angelini A, Bottaro S, Vinci A, Dequal G, Tona F, Iliceto S, Thiene G, McKenna WJ. Autoimmune myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy: focus on cardiac autoantibodies. Lupus 2005; 14:652-5. [PMID: 16218460 DOI: 10.1191/0961203305lu2193oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Criteria of organ-specific autoimmunity are fulfilled in a subset of patients with myocarditis/dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In particular, circulating heart-reactive autoantibodies are found in patients and symptom-free relatives. These autoantibodies are directed against multiple antigens, some of which are expressed in the heart (organ-specific), others in heart and some skeletal muscle fibres (partially-heart specific) or in heart and skeletal muscle (muscle-specific). Distinct autoantibodies have different frequency in disease and normal controls. Different techniques detect one or more antibodies, thus they cannot be used interchangeably for screening. It is unknown whether the same patients produce more antibodies or different patient groups develop autoimmunity to distinct antigens. IgG antibodies, shown to be cardiac and disease-specific for myocarditis/DCM, can be used as autoimmune markers for identifying patients in whom immunosuppression may be beneficial and relatives at risk. Some autoantibodies may also have a functional role, but further work is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L P Caforio
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiological, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Centro V Gallucci, University of Padova-Policlinico, Padova, Italy.
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Soongswang J, Durongpisitkul K, Nana A, Laohaprasittiporn D, Kangkagate C, Punlee K, Limpimwong N. Cardiac troponin T: a marker in the diagnosis of acute myocarditis in children. Pediatr Cardiol 2005; 26:45-9. [PMID: 15793653 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-004-0677-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted to assess the use of serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) level as a noninvasive indicator to diagnose acute myocarditis in children. Noninvasive conventional methods often fail to diagnose myocarditis, A median cTnT level of 0.088 ng/ml (0.04-3.11) was reported in pediatric patients with acute myocarditis in our previous study. Hence, we attempted to determine the cutfoff level of cTnT to diagnose acute myocarditis in children. Pediatric patients with clinically suspected myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and a control group were recruited. History, physical examination, elctrocardiogram, chest roentgenogram, echocardiogram, cTnT level, and/or endomyocardial biopsy and clinical course were studied. The gold standard to diagnose acute myocarditis was endomyocardial biopsy proved according to the Dallas criteria and/or recovery from cardiovascular problems within 6 months of follow-up. Forty-three patients were admitted due to cardiovascular problems from primary myocardial dysfunction. Twenty-four patients were diagnosed as acute myocarditis (group 1), 19 were idiopathic chronic DCM (group 2), and 21 patients had moderate to large ventricular septal defect and congestive heart failure (group 3). Median cTnT level was statistically higher in (group 1) compared to groups 2 and 3. Ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDd) z score of acute myocarditis were 38.5% (range, 21-67) and 1.3 (range, -0.8-3.0), respectively, which were significantly better than DCM [28.0% (range, 17-45) and 6.0 (range, 2.0-10.0)]. The cutoff point of cTnT level to diagnose acute myocarditis was 0.052 ng/ml (sensitivity, 71%; specificity, 86%). cTnT level, EF, and LVEDd z score did not predict short-term outcomes of patients. In acute myocarditis, cTnT level and EF were significantly higher and LVEDd z score was significantly lower than in DCM. However, the three parameters had no significant effect on outcomes of the patients. Our data show that cardiac a cTnT level of 0.052 ng/ml is an appropriate cutoff point for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Soongswang
- Department of Pediatrics, Siriraj Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, 2 Prannok Road, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
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Reinders J, Parsonage W, Lange D, Potter JM, Plever S. Clozapine-related myocarditis and cardiomyopathy in an Australian metropolitan psychiatric service. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2004; 38:915-22. [PMID: 15555025 DOI: 10.1080/j.1440-1614.2004.01481.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Myocarditis and cardiomyopathy are rarely reported complications of clozapine treatment. The incidence of clozapine-related myocarditis has been variably reported at between 0.03% and 0.19% of initiations and cardiomyopathy has been reported even less commonly. In our Brisbane-based service, nine of 94 patients initiated on clozapine over the previous 3 years appeared to have experienced myocarditis or cardiomyopathy. The unique co-location of our service with a major cardiothoracic hospital facilitated a review of identified cases to inform decisions regarding clozapine treatment and rechallenge in this service. METHOD Cases were identified by survey of psychiatric and cardiac medical staff at The Prince Charles Hospital and subjected to re-evaluation by a multidiscipline consensus panel. The panel compared cases to international reports and identified the clinical features that supported a diagnosis of clozapine-related myocarditis or cardiomyopathy. RESULTS This process resulted in the stratification of the nine cases into the following categories of diagnostic likelihood: three highly probable, three probable, and two possible cases of clozapine-related myocarditis, and one possible case of clozapine-related cardiomyopathy. Successful clozapine rechallenge/continuation was undertaken in two patients and the panel agreed that this was a viable future option for several other patients. CONCLUSIONS Findings of the panel review supported the initial clinical diagnoses. This confirmed that there was an apparent high incidence of clozapine-related myocarditis within this service, for which there was no clear reason. Mechanisms underlying clozapine-related myocarditis and cardiomyopathy, as well as successful clozapine continuation and rechallenge were considered, but definitive explanations remain unknown. This review highlighted the clinician's role in post-marketing drug surveillance to guide rational management of suspected adverse drug effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Reinders
- Department of Psychiatry, The Prince Charles Hospital Health Service District, Queensland, Australia.
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Godsel LM, Leon JS, Wang K, Fornek JL, Molteni A, Engman DM. Captopril prevents experimental autoimmune myocarditis. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2003; 171:346-52. [PMID: 12817017 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.171.1.346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, is widely used in the treatment of a variety of cardiomyopathies, but its effect on autoimmune myocarditis has not been addressed experimentally. We investigated the effect of captopril on myosin-induced experimental autoimmune myocarditis. A/J mice, immunized with syngeneic cardiac myosin, were given 75 mg/L of captopril in their drinking water. Captopril dramatically reduced the incidence and severity of myocarditis, which was accompanied by a reduction in heart weight to body weight ratio and heart weight. Captopril specifically interfered with cell-mediated immunity as myosin delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) was reduced, while anti-myosin Ab production was not affected. Captopril-treated, OVA-immunized mice also exhibited a decrease in OVA DTH. In myosin-immunized, untreated mice, injection of captopril directly into the test site also suppressed myosin DTH. Interestingly, captopril did not directly affect Ag-specific T cell responsiveness because neither in vivo nor in vitro captopril treatment affected the proliferation, IFN-gamma secretion, or IL-2 secretion by Ag-stimulated cultured splenocytes. These results indicate that captopril ameliorates experimental autoimmune myocarditis and may act, at least in part, by interfering with the recruitment of cells to sites of inflammation and the local inflammatory environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Godsel
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Meune C, Spaulding C, Mahé I, Lebon P, Bergmann JF. Risks versus Benefits of NSAIDs Including Aspirin in Myocarditis. Drug Saf 2003; 26:975-81. [PMID: 14583071 DOI: 10.2165/00002018-200326130-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
NSAIDs, including aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), are frequently used and effective in a broad variety of inflammatory diseases, i.e. rheumatic carditis and pericarditis. Myocarditis may constitute another suitable indication for NSAIDs in order to relieve the symptoms of the presumed viral infection or because pericardial effusion is often associated with this condition. However, concerns have been raised about their indiscriminate use in myocarditis. To clarify this issue, we conducted a systematic review of the literature concerning myocarditis, aspirin and NSAIDs. We examined five animal studies of NSAIDs (indomethacin and ibuprofen) and aspirin in coxsackievirus B3- and B4-induced myocarditis. These studies indicated a deleterious effect of NSAIDs and aspirin in this setting, demonstrating a 2- to 3-fold increase in inflammation, myocytes necrosis and even mortality when compared with placebo. This possible deleterious effect was more predominant when NSAIDs or aspirin were administered during the acute and subacute phases of myocarditis; however, it was still noted when NSAIDs were administered during the late phase of the disease (the effect of aspirin was not evaluated in late phase studies). According to these animal studies, such effect might be attributed to decreased viral clearance (possibly via interferon inhibition) and/or exaggerated cytotoxic response (via interleukin-2 or inhibition of suppressor cells factors) and/or coronary artery spasm. We found one animal study looking at autoimmune myocarditis and it did not demonstrate any beneficial or detrimental effect of aspirin. Moreover, recent data suggest that aspirin and NSAIDs may counteract part of the efficacy of ACE inhibitors and be deleterious in chronic heart failure. Taken together, these studies point to a possible deleterious effect of aspirin and NSAIDs in human myocarditis. In view of these animal studies and in the absence of controlled studies of aspirin or NSAIDs in human myocarditis, we do not recommend indiscriminate treatment with NSAIDs or high-dose aspirin in patients with myocarditis where there is no or minimal associated pericarditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Meune
- Cardiology Department, Cochin Hospital, René Descartes University, Paris, France.
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16
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Anisman DE. Selected Disorders of the Cardiovascular System. Fam Med 2003. [DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-21744-4_82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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17
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Caforio AL, Mahon NJ, Mckenna WJ. Cardiac autoantibodies to myosin and other heart-specific autoantigens in myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. Autoimmunity 2002; 34:199-204. [PMID: 11908778 DOI: 10.3109/08916930109007385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by dilation and impaired contraction of the left ventricle or both; it is a relevant cause of heart failure and a common indication for heart transplantation. It may be idiopathic, familial/genetic, viral, autoimmune or immune-mediated, associated with a viral infection. Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium; it may be idiopathic, infectious or autoimmune and may heal or lead to DCM. Thus, in a patient subset, myocarditis and DCM are thought to represent the acute and chronic stages of an organ-specific autoimmune disease of the myocardium. In keeping with this hypothesis, autoimmune features in patients with myocarditis/DCM include: familial aggregation, a weak association with HLA-DR4, abnormal expression of HLA class II on cardiac endothelium on endomyocardial biopsy, detection of organ- and disease-specific cardiac autoantibodies in the sera of affected patients and of symptom-free relatives. The organ-specific cardiac autoantibodies detected by immunofluorescence are directed against multiple antigens. One of these, first identified using immunoblotting and confirmed by ELISA, is the cardiac-specific alpha-myosin isoform. Myosin fulfils the expected criteria for organ-specific autoimmunity, in that immunization with cardiac but not skeletal myosin reproduces, in susceptible mouse strains, the human disease phenotype of myocarditis/DCM; in addition, alpha-myosin is entirely cardiac-specific. The organ-specific cardiac autoantibodies detected by immunofluorescence in symptom-free relatives were associated with echocardiographic features suggestive of early disease. Short-term follow-up is in keeping with this interpretation, although extended follow-up is necessary to define better the role of the antibody as predictor of disease susceptibility in healthy subjects at risk of myocarditis/DCM, such as first-degree relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Caforio
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padua, Italy.
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18
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Caforio ALP, Mahon NJ, Tona F, McKenna WJ. Circulating cardiac autoantibodies in dilated cardiomyopathy and myocarditis: pathogenetic and clinical significance. Eur J Heart Fail 2002; 4:411-7. [PMID: 12167378 DOI: 10.1016/s1388-9842(02)00010-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a relevant cause of heart failure and a common indication for heart transplantation. It may be idiopathic, familial/genetic, viral, autoimmune or immune-mediated associated with a viral infection. Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium; it may be idiopathic, infectious or autoimmune and may heal or lead to DCM. Thus, in a patient subset, myocarditis and DCM are thought to represent the acute and chronic stages of an organ-specific autoimmune disease of the myocardium. In keeping with this hypothesis, autoimmune features in patients with myocarditis/DCM include: familial aggregation; a weak association with HLA-DR4; abnormal expression of HLA class II on cardiac endothelium on endomyocardial biopsy; and detection of organ- and disease-specific cardiac autoantibodies of the IgG class in the sera of affected patients and symptom-free relatives. The cardiac autoantibodies detected by immunofluorescence are directed against multiple antigens. Two of these, first identified using immunoblotting and confirmed by ELISA, are the atrial-specific alpha- and the ventricular and skeletal muscle beta-heavy chain isoform. The alpha-myosin isoform fulfils the expected criteria for organ-specific autoimmunity, in that immunization with cardiac, but not skeletal myosin reproduces, in susceptible mouse strains, the human disease phenotype of myocarditis/DCM; in addition, alpha-myosin is entirely cardiac-specific. Additional antigenic targets of heart-reactive autoantibodies include unknown sarcolemmal proteins, mitochondrial enzymes, beta-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors. For some of these antibodies, there is in vitro evidence for a functional role. The organ-specific cardiac autoantibodies detected by immunofluorescence in symptom-free relatives were associated with echocardiographic features suggestive of early disease. Mid-term follow-up suggests that these antibodies are predictive markers of progression to DCM among symptom-free relatives with or without abnormal echocardiographic findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alida L P Caforio
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padua, Policlinico Universitario, Centro 'V. Gallucci', via N. Giustiniani, 2, Italy.
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19
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Frishman WH, O'Brien M, Naseer N, Anandasabapathy S. Innovative drug treatments for viral and autoimmune myocarditis. HEART DISEASE (HAGERSTOWN, MD.) 2002; 4:171-83. [PMID: 12028603 DOI: 10.1097/00132580-200205000-00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Myocarditis is a common cause of cardiomyopathy and is thought to account for 25% of all cases in humans. Unfortunately, the disease is difficult to detect clinically before a myopathic process ensues. Management of myocarditis-induced heart failure includes the standard regimen of diuretics, digoxin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers, and beta-adrenergic blockers. The management of myocarditis itself is dependent on the etiology of the illness. Treatments that are currently under investigation include immunosuppressants, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, immunoglobulins, immunomodulation, antiadrenergics, calcium-channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, nitric oxide inhibitors (e.g., aminoguanidine), and antivirals. Despite advances in treatment, more work needs to be done in the early detection of myocarditis. Additionally, better means need to be established for distinguishing between viral and noninfectious autoimmune forms of the disease, so that appropriate treatment can be instituted.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H Frishman
- Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Feldman
- Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA.
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21
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Roditi GH, Hartnell GG, Cohen MC. MRI changes in myocarditis--evaluation with spin echo, cine MR angiography and contrast enhanced spin echo imaging. Clin Radiol 2000; 55:752-8. [PMID: 11052875 DOI: 10.1053/crad.2000.0519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM Myocarditis is probably under-diagnosed with clinical criteria generally used for diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown promise in detecting heart muscle disorders and we set out to assess the role of cine magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and contrast enhancement in myocarditis, as there is a need for a non-invasive tool that can aid prognosis and follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty patients were evaluated with T1 SE pre- and post-gadolinium enhancement and cine MRA. Four patients were histologically proven to have myocarditis, eight others were diagnosed as having myocarditis by clinical criteria and eight did not have myocarditis. Images were evaluated in a blinded fashion for regional wall motion abnormality and contrast enhancement pattern. Analysis of contrast enhancement by signal intensity measurement was also performed. RESULTS Focal myocardial enhancement with associated regional wall motion abnormality correlated with myocarditis in 10 out of 12 patients, two patients with abnormal focal enhancement alone also clinically had myocarditis. None of the non-myocarditis patients showed abnormal focal enhancement. Enhancement analysis suggests that focal corrected myocardial enhancement of > 40% is abnormal. CONCLUSION In the correct clinical context, focal myocardial enhancement on spin echo MRI strongly supports a diagnosis of myocarditis, especially when associated with regional wall motion abnormality.Roditi, G. H. (2000). Clinical Radiology55, 752-758.
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Affiliation(s)
- G H Roditi
- Department of Radiology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
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22
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Chan LG, Parashar UD, Lye MS, Ong FG, Zaki SR, Alexander JP, Ho KK, Han LL, Pallansch MA, Suleiman AB, Jegathesan M, Anderson LJ. Deaths of children during an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease in sarawak, malaysia: clinical and pathological characteristics of the disease. For the Outbreak Study Group. Clin Infect Dis 2000; 31:678-83. [PMID: 11017815 DOI: 10.1086/314032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 410] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/1999] [Revised: 02/07/2000] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
From April through June 1997, 29 previously healthy children aged <6 years (median, 1.5 years) in Sarawak, Malaysia, died of rapidly progressive cardiorespiratory failure during an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease caused primarily by enterovirus 71 (EV71). The case children were hospitalized after a short illness (median duration, 2 days) that usually included fever (in 100% of case children), oral ulcers (66%), and extremity rashes (62%). The illness rapidly progressed to include seizures (28%), flaccid limb weakness (17%), or cardiopulmonary symptoms (of 24 children, 17 had chest radiographs showing pulmonary edema, and 24 had echocardiograms showing left ventricular dysfunction), resulting in cardiopulmonary arrest soon after hospitalization (median time, 9 h). Cardiac tissue from 10 patients showed normal myocardium, but central nervous system tissue from 5 patients showed inflammatory changes. Brain-stem specimens from 2 patients were available, and both specimens showed extensive neuronal degeneration, inflammation, and necrosis, suggesting that a central nervous system infection was responsible for the disease, with the cardiopulmonary dysfunction being neurogenic in origin. EV71 and possibly an adenovirus, other enteroviruses, or unknown cofactors are likely responsible for this rapidly fatal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G Chan
- Department of Pediatrics, Sarawak General Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia
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23
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Delgado RM, Razeghi P, Radovancevic B. Difficult cases in heart failure: Effective treatment of severe acute myocarditis with intravenous immune globulin and pulse corticosteroids in a 32-year-old patient. CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (GREENWICH, CONN.) 2000; 6:277-279. [PMID: 12189289 DOI: 10.1111/j.1527-5299.2000.80171.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We describe a 32-year-old patient with acute myocarditis resulting in severe heart failure with hemodynamic compromise who improved significantly after treatment with immune globulin and pulse steroids. Six weeks after termination of the immunosuppressive therapy the patient developed symptoms of heart failure again and his ejection fraction decreased to 30%-34%. Treatment with immune globulin resulted in resolution of symptoms and return of left ventricular function. (c)2000 by CHF, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Delgado
- Department of Cardiopulmonary Transplantation, Texas Heart Institute, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX 77030
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24
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Sparacino PS. Cardiac infections: medical and surgical therapies. J Cardiovasc Nurs 1999; 13:49-65. [PMID: 9888063 DOI: 10.1097/00005082-199901000-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Infections of the heart can be acute or subacute, depending on host susceptibility, the cause and associated virulence, early diagnosis, and effective therapy. The following review will discuss the causes, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and medical or surgical management of infective endocarditis, prosthetic valve endocarditis, myocarditis, and pericarditis. Nursing considerations emphasize understanding the pathogenesis, early recognition of signs and symptoms, and appropriate prevention and intervention.
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25
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Abstract
The risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) infections are related to the immunocompetence of the host, preexisting cardiac conditions, and exposure to infectious organisms. Immunocompromised states are related to defective physical and chemical barriers and/or alterations of immune organs, cells, and substances. There are many conditions, diseases, drugs, and therapies that are associated with immunocompromised states. In-dwelling central venous catheters, prosthetic valves/devices, cardiac lesions, and conditions that create turbulent blood flow increase risk for CV infections. An understanding of the immune response, risk factors for immunocompromise, and risk factors for CV infections helps guide the CV nurse's plan of care related to assessment and interventions for prevention, identification, and treatment of CV infections. Diagnosis, monitoring, and management challenges of the immunocompromised patient with infective endocarditis and myocarditis are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Schell
- Department of Nursing, UCSF Stanford Health Care/UCSF Medical Center, USA
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26
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Dimitrijevic M, Milenkovic M, Milosavljevic P, Colic M. Effects of leflunomide on experimental autoimmune myocarditis with special reference to the dendritic cells. Transplant Proc 1998; 30:4149-50. [PMID: 9865329 DOI: 10.1016/s0041-1345(98)01374-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Dimitrijevic
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University School of Pharmacy, Belgrade, Yugoslavia
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27
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28
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Kim M, Kim K. Changes in cardiac troponin I in Kawasaki disease before and after treatment with intravenous gammaglobulin. JAPANESE CIRCULATION JOURNAL 1998; 62:479-82. [PMID: 9707002 DOI: 10.1253/jcj.62.479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Changes in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in Kawasaki disease before and after treatment with intravenous gamma-globulins (i.v.GG) were investigated in 42 cases in order to confirm the usefulness of cTnI as a serological test for the early onset of acute myocarditis and the effectiveness of i.v.GG as treatment for it. The level of cTnI before i.v.GG treatment was increased in 42.9% (18/42), but 89% (16/18) were in the normal range after treatment as shown by improved clinical symptoms and signs; 9.5% (4/42) were treated twice with i.v.GG because of recurrent high fever, with a positive level of cTnI in the second test. Despite the improved clinical symptoms and signs after retreatment with i.v.GG, 4.7% (2/42) continued to have an increased level of cTnI in follow-up studies. In conclusion, the measurement of cTnI is a useful serologic test for the early diagnosis of myocarditis or myocardial cell injury and for confirming the effectiveness of i.v.GG therapy for the cure and prevention of cardiovascular abnormalities in KD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Anyang Joongang General Hospital, Kyunggi do, Korea
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29
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Anandasabapathy S, Frishman WH. Innovative drug treatments for viral and autoimmune myocarditis. J Clin Pharmacol 1998; 38:295-308. [PMID: 9590456 PMCID: PMC7166703 DOI: 10.1002/j.1552-4604.1998.tb04428.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/1998] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Myocarditis has been shown to be a common cause of cardiomyopathy and is believed to account for 25% of all cases in human beings. Unfortunately, the disease is difficult to detect before a myopathic process ensues. Treatment of myocarditis-induced heart failure includes the standard regimen of diuretics, digoxin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and currently, beta-adrenergic blockers. Treatment of myocarditis itself is dependent on the etiology of the illness. Treatments under investigation include immunosuppressants, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, immunoglobulins, immunomodulation, antiadrenergics, calcium-channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, nitric oxide inhibition (e.g., aminoguanidine), and antiviral agents. Despite advances in treatment, more work needs to be done in the early detection of myocarditis. Additionally, better means need to be established for distinguishing between viral and autoimmune forms of the disease, so that appropriate treatment can be instituted.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Anandasabapathy
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
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