Myopericarditis in giant cell arteritis: case report of diagnostic dilemma and review of literature

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Jun 28:2012:bcr1220115469. doi: 10.1136/bcr.12.2011.5469.

Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as granulomatous arteritis is a systemic vasculitis mainly affecting extra cranial branches of carotid arteries. It can rarely affect other vascular beds causing thoracic aorta aneurysm, dissection and rarely cause myocardial infarction through coronary arteritis. It can cause considerable diagnostic dilemma due to varied clinical presentations. The authors report an illustrative case of a 70-year-old woman with GCA who developed symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial infarction with chest pain, localised ST-T changes and echocardiographic left ventricular dysfunction. However, cardiac troponin T biomarkers and coronary angiography were normal. Her symptoms subsided with steroid treatment. Cardiac symptoms at first presentation of GCA are unusual.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / complications*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / diagnosis*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Myocardial Infarction / blood
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Troponin / blood
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / diagnostic imaging
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / etiology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Troponin
  • Prednisolone