Abstract
Acute myocarditis includes the disease fulminant myocarditis, in which hemodynamic collapse during the course of the disease can lead to death. The incorporation of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) is important to help patients survive the acute phase of this disease. However, acute myocarditis is a relatively rare disease, and few reports have presented detailed treatment results from a single institution. In the present study, we investigated 18 patients with acute myocarditis who were treated at our center between April 2003 and November 2013. We assessed age, sex, vital signs at the time of hospitalization, examination findings at the time of hospitalization, and interventions and prognosis following hospitalization. Among 8 patients who presented with cardiogenic shock during the course of the disease, 6 had fulminant myocarditis and PCPS was considered necessary owing to hemodynamic collapse. Among these 6 patients, 2 experienced cardiac arrest immediately following admission, 3 experienced cardiogenic shock within 6 hours of admission, and 1 experienced hemodynamic collapse after presenting with cardiogenic shock 6 days following hospitalization. Among patients with acute myocarditis, those who experience cardiogenic shock immediately after hospitalization have a high likelihood of requiring PCPS.
