Tubercular myocarditis presenting with ventricular tachycardia

Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med. 2008 Mar;5(3):169-74. doi: 10.1038/ncpcardio1111. Epub 2008 Jan 22.

Abstract

Background: A previously fit and healthy 30-year-old man reported experiencing palpitations accompanied by nausea, sweating and presyncope. These symptoms were found to be associated with episodes of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. He was a nonsmoker, did not drink excessively, denied illicit drug use and had no family history of structural cardiac disease or sudden death.

Investigations: Electrocardiography, laboratory tests, electrophysiological studies, echocardiography, coronary angiography, chest radiography, cardiac MRI (with late gadolinium enhancement), chest CT, lymph-node biopsy, Ziehl Nielsen staining, blood and sputum cultures and heaf testing.

Diagnosis: Tubercular myocarditis.

Management: Antituberculous chemotherapy supported by antiarrhythmic and steroid pharmacotherapy and cardioverter-defibrillator implantation. Repeated imaging was performed to monitor disease progression.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gadolinium
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Myocarditis / diagnosis
  • Myocarditis / drug therapy*
  • Myocarditis / microbiology*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / diagnosis*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tuberculosis, Cardiovascular / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Cardiovascular / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Gadolinium