A 56-year-old woman with breathlessness

Heart. 2017 May;103(9):726. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2016-310611. Epub 2016 Nov 29.

Abstract

Clinical introduction: A 56-year-old female with adult-onset asthma was admitted to the cardiology service with intermittent left-sided chest pain and progressive dyspnoea. Twelve months prior to this admission, she had received a course of prednisolone for bilateral anterior uveitis. Physical examination was unremarkable with blood sampling revealing a marked eosinophilia (eosinophil count 17.3×109/L) and a perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody staining pattern on indirect immunofluorescence microscopy (myeloperoxidase antibodies 83 IU/mL). ECG demonstrated anterolateral T-wave inversion (see online supplementary figure S1). High-sensitivity troponin T was elevated at 100 ng/L. Invasive coronary angiography showed unobstructed coronary arteries. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) were performed (figure 1).

Question: What is the most appropriate therapy? Beta-blockade and ACE inhibitionMethylprednisoloneIntravenous antibioticsEndocardiectomyImplantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / complications*
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / immunology
  • Dyspnea / etiology*
  • Echocardiography
  • Eosinophilia / diagnostic imaging
  • Eosinophilia / drug therapy
  • Eosinophilia / etiology*
  • Eosinophilia / immunology
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocarditis / diagnostic imaging
  • Myocarditis / drug therapy
  • Myocarditis / etiology*
  • Myocarditis / immunology

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Methylprednisolone