Diagnosis of an uncommon case of myocarditis by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: ventricular tachycardia caused by inflammatory left ventricular microaneurysms

Int J Cardiol. 2009 May 1;134(1):e11-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2007.12.052. Epub 2008 Mar 18.

Abstract

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) has recently proved to be a powerful tool in the diagnosis of myocarditis. We report a case of myocarditis diagnosed with CMRI in a rare setting: An episode of ventricular tachycardia (VT) arising from the left ventricle associated with a unique ventricular microaneurysm in a patient free of coronary disease. Because of this benign feature, the patient was discharged with antiarrhythmics with no further investigation. A 9-month follow-up revealed no VT recurrence. This case demonstrates the importance of CMRI in patients suffering from apparently idiopathic VT originating in the left ventricle.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Aneurysm / complications*
  • Coronary Aneurysm / pathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocarditis / complications*
  • Myocarditis / pathology*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / etiology*