Coxsackie viral myocarditis: a clinical and echocardiographic study.

Abstract

Thirty two patients with acute onset of cardiac symptoms following an episode suggestive of viral infection, were studied. 11 patients had Coxsackie viral myocarditis. All had 4 fold rise of neutralising Coxsackie viral antibody titres on paired sera tested. Coxsackie B virus types 2 and 4 were commonly detected. Among the eleven patients, 8 presented with congestive heart failure, 2 with ventricular arrhythmias and one with chest pain and S3 gallop. All had ECG changes. Echocardiographic examination showed global left ventricular dysfunction in 7, regional wall motion abnormalities in 2 and normal left ventricular function in one. Serial echocardiographic examination showed progressive myocardial dysfunction in 3 and improvement in myocardial function in two patients. Two patients died during the follow up period. Echocardiography helped in assessing the course of patients with viral myocarditis.