A Churg-Strauss syndrome patient with myopericardial involvement

J Cardiol Cases. 2014 Nov 11;11(2):52-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jccase.2014.10.003. eCollection 2015 Feb.

Abstract

Churg-Strauss syndrome is a necrotizing vasculitis of small vessels characterized by upper and lower airway disease followed by peripheral eosinophilia and multiple organ involvement. Herein we present the case of a 45-year-old female patient with Churg-Strauss syndrome and myopericardial disease who improved upon cyclophosphamide treatment. Apart from discussing the characteristics of myopericardial disease in eosinophilic syndromes, we highlight the crucial role of cardiac imaging in the prompt recognition and management of such patients. <Learning objective: Churg-Strauss syndrome is a vasculitic disorder characterized by massive hypereosinophilia and multi-organ disease. Myocardial involvement may manifest as myopericarditis, valvular dysfunction, myocardial infarction, or left ventricular thrombi or alternatively may only cause subclinical changes difficult to diagnose with conventional echocardiography. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is the gold-standard for the detection of active inflammation and fibrosis that may characterize myocardial disease. This is of major importance since timely diagnosis may enable the establishment of appropriate treatments and arrhythmia screening.>.

Keywords: Cardiac magnetic resonance; Churg–Strauss syndrome; Eosinophilic syndromes; Heart disease in vasculitic syndromes; Myopericarditis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports