Fulminant myocarditis spreading from the right ventricle treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and impella

Abstract

Although the pathogenesis of fulminant myocarditis varies, it is usually recognised by symptoms such as chest pain or syncope, echographic findings such as abnormal left ventricular (LV) wall motion, elevated cardiac enzymes and arrhythmias. We encountered a case of acute myocarditis with syncope, electrocardiographic changes suggestive of coronary artery disease in the inferior wall with abnormal wall motion in the right ventricle, which eventually developed into fulminant disease. Multidetector CT showed a contrast effect localised to the right ventricle in the late-contrast phase, suggesting a right ventricular myocardial injury. Thereafter, the LV function rapidly decreased. Finally, mechanical circulatory support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and an intra-aortic balloon pump was needed. A myocardial biopsy of the right ventricular septum showed severe degenerative findings such as myocyte tearing and segmentation with infiltration of inflammatory cells including lymphocytes. After insertion of an Impella pump, the right ventricular function gradually improved.