title: Acute eosinophilic myocarditis mimicking myocardial infarction.
abstract: Eosinophilic myocarditis is characterized by progressive myocardial damage that results in heart failure and death. Herein, we present the case of a 54-year-old man who presented with symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. Normal coronary angiographic results and the presence of elevated levels of peripheral-blood eosinophilia prompted an endomyocardial biopsy that revealed acute eosinophilic myocarditis. The early initiation of steroid therapy resulted in the patient's substantial clinical improvement and survival. Early diagnosis of eosinophilic myocarditis and its treatment with steroid agents in some patients can lead to a favorable outcome. We discuss the challenge of diagnosing and identifying the characteristics of this variant of necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis before the condition proves fatal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, USA. skt73723@creighton.edu
authors.forename: Senthil K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Thambidorai
authors.forename: Hema L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Korlakunta
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Arouni
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Holmberg
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004452:Echocardiography; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D009336:Necrosis; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids
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