[Contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with acute myocarditis].
BACKGROUND
Acute myocarditis is a serious condition that is challenging to diagnose. Recent developments in contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (ce-MRI) enable visualization of myocardial damage in patients with myocarditis. The objective of this study was to identify patients in whom ce-MRI could be useful to reach such a diagnosis.


METHODS
We reviewed data from 37 patients referred to ce-MRI with suspected acute myocarditis at Stavanger University Hospital from July 2004 to May 2007.


RESULTS
20 patients had epicardial contrast enhancement compatible with myocarditis. The contrast enhancement was focal and most frequently localized to the inferolateral wall (n = 12). No patient with Troponin T < 0.1 microg/L (n = 7) showed epicardial contrast enhancement. It was not possible to distinguish patients with acute myocarditis from the other patients on the basis of clinical signs, symptoms, C-reactive protein levels, ECG- or echocardiography.


CONCLUSIONS
Ce-cardiac MRI is important in the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. If troponin T levels are < 0.1 microg/L during the acute phase, it is unlikely that a contrast enhancement pattern will be compatible with myocarditis.
Munk
Peter Scott
PS
Hjerteavdelingen, Stavanger universitetssjukehus, 4068 Stavanger. drsteinorn@hotmail.com
Manhenke
Cord
C
Ørn
Stein
S
Greve
Ole Jacob
OJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000175:diagnosis*
D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium