Publication

Transient left ventricular "hypertrophy" in a woman with meningoencephalitis

Journal Paper/Review - Aug 1, 2006

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Maeder M, Wolber T, Rickli H, Ammann P. Transient left ventricular "hypertrophy" in a woman with meningoencephalitis. Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) 2006; 23:582-4.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) 2006; 23
Publication Date
Aug 1, 2006
Issn Print
0742-2822
Pages
582-4
Brief description/objective

We report the echocardiographic findings in a 27-year-old woman with viral meningoencephalitis and a positive test for cardiac troponin. Initially, the basal parts of the left ventricle were severely hypokinetic, whereas contraction in the mid-ventricle and apex was normal. A second echocardiogram obtained 19 days after the development of pulmonary edema showed a generalized, severe myocardial thickening, the left ventricular ejection fraction being normal. Three months after the initial examination the "hypertrophy" had disappeared. The serial echocardiograms along with a positive cardiac troponin led to the diagnosis of myocarditis, which can very rarely present with the echocardiographic picture of severe left ventricular thickening.