Viral Myocarditis
This condition refers to inflammation, necrosis or myocytolysis that may be caused by infectious, connective tissue, granulomatous, toxic or idiopathic processes affecting the myocardium.
The presentation depends on the age and acute or chronic nature of the infection.
Clinically, in neonate the following may be seen: fever, severe heart failure, respiratory distress, cyanosis, distant heart sounds, weak pulse, tachycardia out of proportion to the fever, mitral insufficiency, acidosis and shock.
Viral hepatitis, aseptic meningitis and an associated rash could be seen.
Death may occur within 1-7 days from the onset of symptoms.
Older patients with acute myocarditis may also present with congestive heart failure; however this will present gradually and may result to Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
Generally, patients who will present as cardiac arrhythmias associated with fever and a large heart, most likely these patients have acute myocarditis and they warrant immediate attention and intervention from the cardiac specialists.