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Review
. 2022 Jul;22(7):363-374.
doi: 10.1007/s11910-022-01203-9. Epub 2022 May 19.

Neurological Manifestations of Myocarditis

Gabriela Trifan  1 , Fernando D Testai  2
Affiliations
Review

Neurological Manifestations of Myocarditis

Gabriela Trifan et al. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The present review discusses the neurological complications associated with myocarditis of different etiologies.

Recent findings: Myocarditis can be idiopathic or caused by different conditions, including toxins, infections, or inflammatory diseases. Clinical findings are variable and range from mild self-limited shortness of breath or chest pain to hemodynamic instability which may result in cardiogenic shock and death. Several neurologic manifestations can be seen in association with myocarditis. Tissue remodeling, fibrosis, and myocyte dysfunction can result in heart failure and arrhythmias leading to intracardiac thrombus formation and cardioembolism. In addition, peripheral neuropathies, status epilepticus, or myasthenia gravis have been reported in association with specific types of myocarditis. Multiple studies suggest the increasing risk of neurologic complications in patients with myocarditis. Neurologists should maintain a high suspicion of myocarditis in cases presenting with both cardiovascular and neurological dysfunction without a clear etiology.

Keywords: Anticoagulation; Cognitive decline; Heart failure; Myocarditis; SARS-CoV-2; Stroke.

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Conflict of interest statement

Gabriela Trifan and Fernando D. Testai each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

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