Definition

Giant cell myocarditis is a rare type of severe heart muscle inflammation for unknown reasons, sometimes related to rheumatic disease.

Occurrence

Concurrent autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders and others) occur in approximately 20% of cases

Symptoms

Abnormal heart rhythms (Ventricular), heart block, heart attack, heart failure

Diagnosis

Echocardiography, ECG, Cardiac catheter examination with endocardial tissue sample.

• Biopsy: Multinuclear nuclear cells

Treatment

Immunosuppressive treatment can have effect and better survival. Combination of Cyclosporin (Sandimmun) og prednisolone is used. Heart Transplant must be considered.

Literature

• Kandoline R, 2013

• Bindevevssykdommer.no
• Vaskulitt.no