title: Giant cell myocarditis in a young man responsive to T-lymphocyte cytolytic therapy.
abstract: We describe a case of a 40-year-old man who presented with recent-onset, rapidly decompensating heart failure, and who was found to have giant cell myocarditis (GCM) on biopsy. The patient responded to myocardial rest on a biventricular assist device, as well as immunosuppression that included eradication of T cells using OKT3 therapy, coupled with high-dose steroids. The patient was successfully weaned off mechanical support, and ultimately discharged home, where he continues to do well. Based on a review of the clinical and experimental literature, we believe treatment with T-lymphocytic cytolytic therapy may be beneficial. Further studies using this therapy in the treatment of GCM are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA. lpinder@uab.edu
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Pinderski
authors.forename: Gregg C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fonarow
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fishbein
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marelli
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moriguchi
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Jon A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kobashigawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D016853:Muromonab-CD3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016853:Muromonab-CD3