Myocarditis

Question 1

What is myocarditis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the myocardium

Question 2

Causes
1) Name a viral cause of myocarditis
2) Name a bacterial cause of myocarditis
3) Name 2 other causes of myocarditis

Answer 2

1) Enteroviruses (coxsackieviruses), adenoviruses, EBV, hepatitis, CMV, HSV, mumps, rubella
2) Staphylococcus, streptococcus, diphtheria, meningococcus, mycoplasma
3) Toxoplasma, cocaine, lithium, drugs i.e. cyclophosphamide, phenytoin, and immunological causes i.e. SLE, sarcoidosis

Question 3

Name 2 symptoms

Answer 3

• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Swelling of the legs and ankles
• Arrhythmias
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness
• Flu-like symptoms i.e. headache or body aches

Question 4

What is the gold standard for myocarditis diagnosis?

Answer 4

Endomyocardial biopsy