What are the symptoms of giant cell myocarditis?
The onset of symptoms of giant cell myocarditis is often rapid. Initial symptoms may include swelling of the ankles, chest pain, heart palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath (dyspnea) especially upon exertion or lying flat.
What is the main cause of myocarditis?
Myocarditis is rare, but when it occurs, it is most commonly caused by an infection in the body. Infections from viruses (most common, including those that cause the common cold, influenza or COVID-19), bacteria, fungus or parasites can lead to myocardial inflammation.
What is the difference between myocarditis and giant cell myocarditis?
Myocarditis occurs when there is inflammation in the heart muscle. Giant-cell myocarditis (GCM) develops when this inflammation results in abnormal growth of cells. These then cause more inflammation to the heart, damaging it further.
Is giant cell myocarditis treatable?
Giant-cell myocarditis often escapes diagnosis until autopsy or transplantation and has defied proper treatment trials for its rarity and deadly behavior. Current therapy rests on multiple-drug immunosuppression but its prognostic influence remains poorly known.
Can heart recover from myocarditis?
In many people, myocarditis improves on its own or with treatment, leading to a complete recovery. Myocarditis treatment focuses on the cause and the symptoms, such as heart failure.
What viral infection causes myocarditis?
Potential causes of myocarditis include: Viruses. Many viruses are commonly associated with myocarditis, including the viruses that cause the common cold (adenovirus); COVID-19; hepatitis B and C; parvovirus, which causes a mild rash, usually in children (fifth disease); and herpes simplex virus.
What is the mortality rate of myocarditis?
Immediate complications of myocarditis include ventricular dysrhythmias, left ventricular aneurysm, CHF, and dilated cardiomyopathy. The mortality rate is up to 20% at 1 year and 50% at 5 years.
How many people get giant myocarditis?
The incidence of giant cell myocarditis (GCM) has been reported to range from 0.007% to 0.051% in a large autopsy study, however, this number might be underestimated as autopsy is not routinely performed for all unexplained sudden cardiac death.
Can blood test detect myocarditis?
There are no specific blood tests to confirm the diagnosis of myocarditis; however, an otherwise unexplained elevation in troponin (a blood test that indicates heart muscle damage) and/or electrocardiographic features of cardiac injury are supportive.