Clinical Myocarditis Masquerading as Acute Coronary Syndrome

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics Vol. 154; no. 4; pp. 612 - 615
• Main Authors: Kern, Jeremy, MD, Modi, Rushabn, MD, Atalay, Michael K., MD, PhD, Kochilas, Lazaros K., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Maryland Heights, MO Mosby, Inc 01-04-2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acute Coronary Syndrome - etiology; Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Child; Coronary heart disease; Electrocardiography; General aspects; Heart; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Myocarditis - complications; Myocarditis - diagnosis; Myocarditis. Cardiomyopathies; Pediatrics; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Troponin - blood; CTA; cTn-I; Magnetic resonance imaging; MRI; ECG; Electrocardiography; Serum cardiac troponin–I; EMB; Endomyocardial biopsy; Computed tomographic angiography; Myocarditis; Pediatrics; Cardiovascular disease; Acute coronary syndrome; Coronary heart disease; Myocardial disease; Differential diagnostic
• ISSN: 0022-3476; 1097-6833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2008.10.018

We report a series of children with clinical myocarditis presenting with chest pain and elevated cardiac troponin I mimicking coronary syndrome. Our series illustrates the complementary role the magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic angiography can play in the evaluation of these patients. Elevated cardiac troponin I levels were found to be related to the extent of myocardial involvement, but did not necessarily indicate poor prognosis in children with myocarditis.