Relationship between T-wave inversion and transmural myocardial edema as evidenced by cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with clinically suspected acute myocarditis: clinical and prognostic implications

Introduction: Anthracyclines are a standard chemotherapeutic agent. However, the anthracyclines are associated with a late reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and heart failure. Pathologically, anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC) is characterized by the development of cardiac edema and fibrosis and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold-standard imaging technique for edema and fibrosis. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that a) cardiac edema and fibrosis would be detected by CMR after anthracyclines and b) edema and fibrosis would provide prognostic information. Methods: We performed a longitudinal CMR and histological study of 45 wild-type mice randomized to doxorubicin (DOX, n=30, 5 mg/kg/week for 5 weeks) or placebo (n=15). Measurements were performed at baseline, 5, 10, and 20 weeks after DOX or placebo. Measures of interest were LVEF, myocardial edema and fibrosis. Edema was assessed by T2 mapping, fibrosis by calculating the extracellular volume (ECV) from pre- and post-contrast T1 measurements. Results: In DOX-treated mice vs. placebo, myocardial edema at 5 weeks was increased (T2 values of 32±4 vs. 21±3 ms, P<0.05, Fig. A), while LVEF was unchanged. At 10 weeks, there was a reduction in LVEF (54±6 vs. 63±5% μL, P<0.05) and an increase in myocardial fibrosis (ECV of 0.34±0.03 vs. 0.27±0.03, P<0.05, Fig. B). There was a correlation between T2 measures and cardiac water weight (r=0.79, P=0.007, Fig. C) and between the ECV and histological myocardial fibrosis (r=0.90, P<0.001; Fig. D). Both the early increase in edema and the sub-acute increase in fibrosis predicted the late DOX-induced mortality (P<0.001, Fig. E and F). Conclusions: Our data suggest that, in mice, CMR can detect the early increase in edema and sub-acute increase in fibrosis after anthracyclines, that an increase in edema precedes a reduction in LVEF, that the increase in edema and fibrosis are linked and both are predictive of late animal mortality.

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Staphylococcus aureus Myocarditis with Associated Left Ventricular Apical Thrombus

Case Reports in Cardiology ◽

10.1155/2018/7017286 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Michael McGee ◽

Emily Shiel ◽

Stephen Brienesse ◽

Stuart Murch ◽

Robert Pickles ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Systolic Function ◽

Acute Myocarditis ◽

Complete Recovery ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Mural Thrombus ◽

Intravenous Antibiotics ◽

Discharge From Hospital

Staphylococcus aureus myocarditis is a rare diagnosis with a high mortality rate, usually seen in people who are immunocompromised. Here, we report a case of a 44-year-old man on methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis who presented in septic shock and was diagnosed with staphylococcus aureus myocarditis. The myocarditis was associated with a left ventricular apical thrombus, with normal systolic function. The myocarditis and associated thrombus were characterised on transthoracic echocardiogram and subsequently on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging showed oedema in the endomyocardium, consistent with acute myocarditis, associated with an apical mural thrombus. Repeat CMR 3 weeks following discharge from hospital showed marked improvement in endomyocardial oedema and complete resolution of the apical mural thrombus. He was treated with a 12-week course of antibiotics and anticoagulated with apixaban. The patient was successfully managed with intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulation with complete recovery.

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Optimal timing of follow-up cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with acute myocarditis

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.1754 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M Ciabatti ◽

L Ferri ◽

A Camporeale ◽

E Saletti ◽

M Chioccioli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Complete Resolution ◽

Time Course ◽

Acute Myocarditis ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Optimal Timing ◽

2D Echocardiography ◽

Prognostic Stratification

Abstract Background Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) plays a central role in the diagnosis, follow-up and prognostic stratification of acute myocarditis. Several CMR features, including the extent of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) at baseline, have been proposed as factors associated with a worse outcome. Recent studies evaluated temporal evolution of LGE and edema repeating CMR either at 6 months or at 12 months, demonstrating that persistence or worsening of LGE represents a negative prognostic marker. However, the time-course of edema resolution and LGE stabilization is currently unknown and therefore the optimal timing to repeat CMR for acute myocarditis prognostic stratification remains unclear. Purpose We aimed to assess the time course of edema and LGE evolution in order to identify the optimal timing to repeat CMR in patients with acute myocarditis. Methods We enrolled 36 patients with a diagnosis of acute myocarditis according to ESC position statement definition. All patients underwent CMR at clinical presentation (CMR-1), after 3–4 months (CMR-2) and after 12-months (CMR-3) follow-up. CMR evaluation included assessment of edema and LGE, and evaluation of structural and functional parameters including left (LVEF) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), left (LVGLS) and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) and indexed left ventricular mass (iLVM). After CMR-3 all patients were followed-up by yearly clinical evaluation, electrocardiogram (ECG) and 2D-echocardiography. Results The mean age was 28,8±10,3 years with 35 (97%) being male. All patients showed edema and LGE at CMR-1 with a LVEF of 58,5±12,2. At CMR-2 a significant reduction of edema (T2 positive segments 0,4±0,9 vs. 4,1±3,2 p<0.0001) and LGE extent (LGE ≥5SD 5,1±5,3 vs. 9,6±8,4 p<0.0001) was observed, with only 3 patients showing edema persistence. A significant improvement of LVEF (62,7±5,6 vs. 58,5±12,2 p<0.05), RVGLS (−24,4±5,4 vs. −21,6±7,4 p<0.05), associated with a significant reduction of iLVM (71,2±13,7 vs 78,1±15,2 g/mq) was also observed. At CMR-3 no further significant reduction of LGE extent was observed with no further improvement of LVEF, RVGLS and iLVM. In the 3 patients with persisting edema at CMR-2, a complete resolution was observed at CMR-3. After a mean follow-up of 60±23 months, no major cardiovascular events nor myocarditis recurrences were observed, with no patients showing left ventricular dysfunction nor progression to dilated cardiomyopathy at 2D-echocardiography. Conclusions In most patients with acute myocarditis a complete resolution of the inflammatory process with LGE stabilization and normalization of left ventricular function and mass can be observed after 3–4 months. Further CMR assessment should limited to patients with persisting oedema at 3–4 months CMR. Our findings suggest to redefine the follow-up schedule and imaging-based prognostic stratification strategies in patients with acute myocarditis. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

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Fibrinolysis of an Acute Myocarditis Mimicking an Acute Myocardial Infarction

10.37191/mapsci-jccr-1(1)-004 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Safir Soukaina

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽

Differential Diagnosis ◽

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Acute Myocarditis ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Acute Onset ◽

St Segment Elevation ◽

The Difference

Background: Acute myocarditis and acute myocardial infarction have frequently similar clinical presentations and poses an important clinical challenge in the differential diagnosis. In both cases, the electrocardiographic ST-T changes and an increase in troponins can be noted. Differential diagnosis may be very challenging and requires invasive assessment of coronary arteries and other investigations especially cardiac magnetic resonance. Case Presentation: In this report, we report a rare case of acute myocarditis misdiagnosed to an acute myocardial infarction in a patient presented to the emergency department for an acute onset of chest pain with ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram for which he received urgent fibrinolysis. The confirmation of acute myocarditis was confirmed posteriori after a normal coronary angiogram using cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging cMRI. Conclusions: Clinical signs as long with Electrocardiogram may mimick a ST elevation myocardial infarction in the presence of an authentic acute myocarditis,Hence, cardiac magnetic resonance could present an intersting tools to make the difference even in acute phase.

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