Diagnosis and management of acute myocarditis aided by serial myocardial biopsy

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine
M P FeneleyD W Baron

Abstract

Two cases in which right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy established a definitive pathologic diagnosis of acute myocarditis are presented. Both patients presented with severe left ventricular dysfunction, atrial flutter and an intraventricular conduction defect. Immunofluorescent and immunoperoxidase examination of the biopsy specimens suggested a humoral immune mechanism in one case and a cell-mediated immune mechanism in the other. Substantial improvement in cardiac function followed treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine in both cases. Significant regression of the myocardial inflammatory changes was documented by a further endomyocardial biopsy in each case following clinical improvement.

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Citations

May 1, 1989·Circulation·J W Mason, J B O'Connell
Jan 1, 1988·Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences·M PradellaF Rigolin
Jul 30, 2003·Animal Health Research Reviews·R J Panciera, S A Ewing
Feb 5, 2010·American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·Tom KotsimbosUNKNOWN Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand H1N1 Influenza 09 Task Force

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