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Clinical Research in Cardiology

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Open Access 01-11-2010 | Original Paper

Diagnosis of early myocarditis after respiratory or gastrointestinal tract viral infection: insights from cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Authors: Michael Jeserich, Stavros Konstantinides, Manfred Olschewski, Gabor Pavlik, Christoph Bode, Annette Geibel

Published in: Clinical Research in Cardiology | Issue 11/2010

Abstract

Background

The diagnosis of myocarditis continues to be a challenging task in clinical practice. The purpose of our study was to investigate cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnostic workup of ambulatory patients with the suspicion of early myocarditis after respiratory or gastrointestinal tract viral infection. The need for accurate diagnosis of early myocarditis arises from the low diagnostic accuracy of routine clinical tests.

Methods

We examined 67 consecutive patients with symptoms of weakness, palpitations, and fatigue after respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infection. We compared these patients to 31 controls. ECG-triggered, T2-weighted, fast-spin-echo triple inversion recovery sequences and delayed enhancement imaging were obtained in all patients, as well as functional parameters of left ventricular function and dimensions. In addition, in 25 patients and 10 controls, ECG-triggered, T1-weighted, multi-slice spin-echo images were obtained in axial orientation.

Results

We found a significant difference between patients with suspected myocarditis and controls in T2-global myocardial signal intensity. In addition, the ratio of global myocardial signal intensity/muscle signal intensity was 2.3 ± 0.4 in patients and 1.8 ± 0.3 in controls, which was highly significant (p < 0.001). In 23 patients, a pathological late enhancement pattern was seen, but only in one of the controls. There was no significant difference in T1-signal parameters.

Conclusion

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance technique is able to detect early myocardial involvement after respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infection.

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Title: Diagnosis of early myocarditis after respiratory or gastrointestinal tract viral infection: insights from cardiovascular magnetic resonance
Authors: Michael Jeserich
Stavros Konstantinides
Manfred Olschewski
Gabor Pavlik
Christoph Bode
Annette Geibel
Publication date: 01-11-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Clinical Research in Cardiology / Issue 11/2010
Print ISSN: 1861-0684
Electronic ISSN: 1861-0692
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-010-0173-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Diagnosis of early myocarditis after respiratory or gastrointestinal tract viral infection: insights from cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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