Acute fulminant necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis: early diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis is a rare but potentially fatal condition that requires prompt recognition and treatment. We describe a case of a young athlete presenting with chest pain and breathlessness, with evidence of rapidly deteriorating cardiac function. The condition was successfully treated with corticosteroids, with no evidence of residual myocardial damage. This is the first reported case to demonstrate the utility of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis and monitoring response to treatment. It also highlights the value of endomyocardial biopsy in establishing a tissue diagnosis in cases of fulminant myocarditis, in order to direct treatment appropriately.

Keywords: Acute heart failure; Echocardiography; Endomyocardial biopsy; Magnetic resonance imaging; Myocarditis.