Viral myocarditis--new advances
Providência, R.; Botelho, A.; Cachulo, M.d.C.; Antunes, A.; Mota, P.; Leitão-Marques, A.M.
Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia Orgao Oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia 27(5): 707-722
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0870-2551 PMID: 18717218 Document Number: 621262
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.