Myocarditis

1. MYOCARDITIS
-GROUP 2

2. MYOCARDITIS
Myocarditis is inflammation
of the heart muscle, called
the myocardium. The
condition can reduce the
heart's ability to pump
blood. Myocarditis can
cause chest pain, shortness
of breath, and rapid or
irregular heartbeats.

3. CAUSES:
INFECTIONS:
• Viruses. Many viruses have been linked to myocarditis, including the adenovirus, which
causes the common cold; the COVID-19 virus; viruses that cause hepatitis B and C;
parvovirus, which causes a mild rash, usually in children; and herpes simplex virus.
• Gastrointestinal infections due to echoviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, which causes
mononucleosis, and German measles, also called rubella, all can cause myocarditis.
Myocarditis also can be caused by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
• Bacteria. Bacteria that can cause myocarditis include staphylococcus, streptococcus, and
bacteria that cause diphtheria and Lyme disease.
• Parasites. Parasites that can cause myocarditis are Trypanosoma cruzi and toxoplasma. Some
parasites are transmitted by insects and can cause a condition called Chagas disease. Chagas
disease is much more common in Central and South America than in the United States.
• Fungi. A fungal infection may cause myocarditis, particularly in people with weakened
immune systems. Fungal infections linked to myocarditis include yeast infections, such as
candida; molds, such as aspergillus; and histoplasma, often found in bird droppings.

4. OTHER CAUSES:
• Certain medicines or illegal drugs. These include medicines used to
treat cancer; antibiotics, such as penicillin and sulfonamide drugs; some
anti-seizure medicines; and cocaine. When these cause myocarditis, it's
called drug-induced myocarditis.
• Chemicals or radiation. Exposure to carbon monoxide and radiation can
sometimes cause myocarditis.
• Other health conditions. Conditions that may cause myocarditis include
lupus, Wegener's granulomatosis, giant cell arteritis and Takayasu's
arteritis.
Often, the cause of myocarditis isn't found.

6. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:
Some people with early myocarditis don't have symptoms. Others have mild
symptoms.
Common myocarditis symptoms include:
• Chest pain.
• Fatigue.
• Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias.
• Shortness of breath, at rest or during activity.
• Lightheadedness or feeling like you might faint.
• Flu-like symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pain, fever or sore throat.
Sometimes, myocarditis symptoms are like symptoms of a heart attack. If you are
having unexplained chest pain and shortness of breath, seek emergency medical help.

7. MOST SEEN S/Sx:

8. COMPLICATIONS:
Usually, myocarditis goes away without complications. However, severe myocarditis can
permanently damage the heart muscle.
Possible complications of myocarditis may include:
• Heart failure. Untreated, myocarditis can damage the heart muscle so that it can't pump blood
well. People with myocarditis-related heart failure may need a ventricular assist device or a
heart transplant.
• Heart attack or stroke. If the heart muscle is damaged and can't pump blood, the blood that
collects in the heart can form clots. A heart attack can occur if a clot blocks one of the heart
arteries. A stroke can happen if a blood clot in the heart travels to an artery leading to the brain.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias. Damage to the heart muscle can change how
the heart beats. Certain arrhythmias increase the risk of stroke.
• Sudden cardiac death. Certain serious irregular heartbeats can cause the heart to suddenly stop
beating, a condition called sudden cardiac arrest. If it leads to death it's called sudden cardiac
death.

9. RISK FACTORS:
• Having a weak or compromised immune system
• Exposure to agents known to cause myocarditis (such as cocaine)
• Previous history of myocarditis
• Bacterial or fungal infections
• Chagas disease
• Rheumatic fever
• Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
• Exposure to radiation or heavy metals

10. DIAGNOSIS:
A health care professional is needed to diagnose myocarditis. They will do
a physical exam and get the patient’s medical and family history. In
addition, other procedures are used to diagnose the condition, including:
• Blood tests
• Cardiac MRI (CMR)
• Chest X-ray
• EKG/ECG (electrocardiogram)
• Echocardiography, also called ultrasound
• Cardiac catheterization with coronary angiography and biopsy

12. TREATMENT:

13. PREVENTIONS:
There's no specific prevention for myocarditis. However, taking these steps to prevent
infections might help:
• Stay away from people who are sick. Stay away from people with symptoms of the flu
or other respiratory illness until they are better. If you're sick with symptoms of a viral
infection, try to avoid passing the germs to others.
• Wash your hands regularly. Frequent hand-washing is one of the best ways to not get
sick and spread germs.
• Avoid risky behaviors. To reduce the chances of getting an HIV-related myocardial
infection, practice safe sex and don't use illegal drugs.
• Get recommended vaccines. Stay up to date on recommended vaccines, including those
that protect against COVID-19, influenza and rubella — diseases that can cause
myocarditis. Rarely, the COVID-19 vaccine can cause myocarditis and inflammation of
the outer heart lining, called pericarditis, particularly in males ages 12 to 29. Talk with
your healthcare team about the benefits and risks of vaccines.

14. THANK YOU
-GROUP 2