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Episode Graphic by Dr. Carine Hamo

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Patient Summary

A 35 year old healthy male presents with cardiogenic shock and new heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. He has ventricular instability and is diagnosed with giant cell myocarditis by endomyocardial biopsy. His course over several years includes LVAD bridge to heart transplantation. He then has a recurrence of giant cell myocarditis in the transplanted heart which is successfully treated with high dose immunosuppression. 

Case Media

ABClick to Enlarge

A. ECG, B. CXR

Episode Schematics & Teaching

CardioNerds Myocarditis, updated 1.20.21

Giant Cell Myocarditis Pearls

* Giant cell myocarditis (GCM is a rare – and often fatal - cause of acute myocarditis. A hallmark of GCM is the presence of multinucleated giant cells; however, these may take 1-2 weeks to appear and can also be seen in sarcoidosis.* Most etiologies of fulminant myocarditis do not have bradyarrhythmias as a prominent feature, and their presence should increase the suspicion for sarcoidosis, Chagas disease, or GCM.* While non-specific, a clue to the diagnosis of GCM amongst other causes of myocarditis could be rapid clinical deterioration with minimal response to guideline directed therapy, including a lack of spontaneous recovery on mechanical support which more commonly occurs in fulminant lymphocytic myocarditis.* Mechanical support is typically needed in the management of GCM, either as a bridge to transplantation or recovery.* GCM can recur in the transplanted heart. This happens in up to 25% of transplant patients and warrants aggressive immunosuppression which usually is sufficient to ensure disease remission.

Notes - Giant Cell Myocarditis

* What is Giant Cell myocarditis (GCM)?* Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is an extremely rare – and often ...