Viral myocarditis--new advances.
The role of viruses in cardiovascular disease has been increasingly recognized in recent years. They are now thought to be the main agent in acute myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathy in the western world. We describe new perspectives on the part viral agents play in heart disease, from molecular mechanisms to recently available diagnostic and therapeutic options. We present a case of post-viral dilated cardiomyopathy in a 29-year-old woman in order to illustrate the severe damage that a viral infection can cause and the different therapeutic options that may be available in the near future.
Providência
Rui
R
Serviço de Cardiologia, Centro Hospitalar de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. ruiprovidencia@chc.min-saude.pt
Botelho
Ana
A
Cachulo
Maria do Carmo
Mdo C
Antunes
Alexandre
A
Mota
Paula
P
Leitão-Marques
A M
AM
D000328:Adult; D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D014777:Virus Diseases