Die akute Myoperikarditis als Chamäleon - Fallpräsentation eines jungen Patienten

Heterogenous Aetiology of Myo- pericarditis - A Case Report. Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium. The dia gnosis is based on clinical criteria, ECG find- ings, biomarkers and cardiac imaging, and can be confirmed by histological, immunological and immunohistochemical analysis. The aetiology of myocarditis is heterogeneous and remains un- determined in about 50% of cases. However, a large variety of infectious agents, systemic dis- eases, drugs, and toxins can cause the disease. Viral myocarditis represents the most frequent form. Pericarditis is an inflammatory disease of the pericardium, the most common cause being a viral infection. Myocarditis and pericarditis of- ten present as a combined entity. Clinical mani- festations of myopericarditis are highly variable and range from mild chest pain and palpitations accompanied by transient ECG changes to ma- lign ventricular arrhythmias and life-threatening cardiogenic shock. Though, the vast majority of patients with myocarditis will completely recov- er, inflammatory cardiomyopathy may result in ir- reversible cardiac dysfunction with severe long- term morbidity and mortality. It is therefore criti- cal to be aware of the broad range of underlying pathologies, differential diagnoses, recommend- ed diagnostic pathways and available treatment modalities. The objective of the following case presenta- tion discussing a young patient suffering from vi- ral myopericarditis, is to highlight the importance and difficulties in establishing the correct diag- nosis timely, thus not delaying specific treatment options. J Kardiol 2015; 22 (11-12): 264-72.