title: Cardiovascular manifestations associated with influenza virus infection.
abstract: Influenza accounts for 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and up to 300,000 deaths annually. Cardiovascular involvement in acute influenza infection can occur through direct effects of the virus on the myocardium or through exacerbation of existing cardiovascular disease. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between influenza epidemics and cardiovascular mortality and a decrease in cardiovascular mortality in high risk patients has been demonstrated following vaccination with influenza vaccine. Influenza is a recognised cause of myocarditis which can lead to significant impairment of cardiac function and mortality. With recent concerns regarding another potential global pandemic of influenza the huge potential for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Manchester Heart Centre, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK.
authors.forename: Mamas Andreas
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mamas
authors.forename: Doug
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Ludwig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Neyses
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality*; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000821:virology*