A Rare Case of Giant Cell Myocarditis

Abstract

Giant cell myocarditis is a rare condition first described in 1905. It has a reported incidence range from 0.007% to 0.051%. It affects
female and male individuals, equally, and usually occurs in young and middle-aged persons. The underlying aetiology of giant
cell myocarditis is unknown but it is thought to be mediated by T-lymphocytes. Diagnosis is made via histological examination of
myocardial tissue and is characterized by a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate with multinucleated giant cells and cardiomyocyte
necrosis, predominantly affecting the ventricles. The following report describes a rare case of giant cell myocarditis in a 71-yearold
man with a history of hypertension and heart failure, who died while waiting to be seen in the emergency department. Autopsy
findings revealed an enlarged, dilated heart with histologic features in keeping with giant cell myocarditis, along with features of
heart failure. Diagnosis of giant cell myocarditis is less common in the elderly age group, possibly due to a less severe disease
process in this age group and it may be misdiagnosed because older individuals may have other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).