David Ocampo-Moreno, Especialización en Cardiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
Daniela Orozco-González, Especialización en Cardiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
Alejandro Echavarría-Cross, Especialización en Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
Danilo Weir, Especialización en Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
María A. Mesa, Especialización en Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
Laura Duque-González, Unidad Cardiovascular, Hospital San Vicente Fundación, Rionegro, Colombia
Pedro Abad, Imágenes Cardiovasculares, Ayudas Diagnósticas Sura, Medellín, Colombia
Elsa M. Vásquez-Trespalacios, División de Posgrados Clínicos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
Introduction: Acute myocarditis is the inflammation of the myocardium, with a risk of heart failure and sudden death. The incidence is higher in men aged 35 to 39, with viral infection being the main cause. Diagnosis has evolved towards non-invasive methods, highlighting magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for its prognostic value. Objective: To evaluate the evolution of cardiac magnetic resonance parameters in patients with acute myocarditis in Medellín, Colombia, during the first year of follow-up. Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted with a retrospective follow-up cohort. Sampling was non-probabilistic, selecting patients with acute myocarditis and follow-up by cardiac MRI. Data were extracted from medical records that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: This study showed significant changes in the size of the left ventricle, indicating ventricular remodeling. The reduction in T1 mapping suggested less myocardial fibrosis and the decrease in edema and fibrosis measured by late gadolinium enhancement reflected a clinical improvement. The reduction in pericardial effusion also indicated an improvement in the inflammatory state. These changes are important for the prognosis and clinical management of patients with myocarditis. Conclusions: In patients with acute myocarditis, MRI follow-up showed a reduction in fibrosis, myocardial edema, pericardial effusion, and left ventricular size, with no differences in other anatomical or functional variables.
Keywords: Left ventricular function. Magnetic resonance imaging. Myocarditis. Heart failure. Cardiac edema.
