Influenza, strep throat and the common cold afflict many people during the winter months, particularly in children and young adults, yet there is one often undiagnosed viral condition that can be far deadlier then these common viruses. Viral myocarditis is a sometimes fatal infection that inflames the myocardium, the thick muscular layer of the heart wall, and is the most common cause of heart failure in otherwise healthy children and young adults. Historically, viral myocarditis often left the surviving patients waiting for heart transplants, however, early diagnosis and new technology brings other options. Abiomed heart recovery products are uniquely designed to allow these young patients’ hearts the opportunity to overcome viral myocarditis by resting, recovering, and avoiding heart transplants altogether.

“With early enough detection and intervention for viral myocarditis, in the form of circulatory or cardiac assist devices, we not only preserve the lives of these patients, but we can actually allow their hearts to rest and recover function in almost every case,” said Don Botta, MD, Yale New Haven Hospital. “This represents a huge leap forward in the treatment of this disease.”

Severe myocarditis occurs when the pumping action of the heart weakens and begins functioning at only 20 percent, making it unable to supply enough blood and oxygen to the rest of the body.

“Ultimately, the various organs do not receive enough oxygenated blood and start to malfunction, often failing one organ system at a time,” said Daniel Raess, MD, Medical Director at Abiomed. “Viral myocarditis typically starts with flu-like symptoms but can worsen quickly. That’s why it is absolutely crucial to identify these symptoms early as the first step to reducing the severity of the virus and its effects on the heart.”

In many cases, children and young adults complain of difficulty in breathing, which can go on for several days. Other symptoms may also indicate viral myocarditis in children such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Elevated temperature
• Loss of appetite
• Bluish or grayish discoloration of the skin
• Chest pain
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)

The next step to battling viral myocarditis is swift and proper treatment in the hospital. Though viral myocarditis is widely undiagnosed, education about symptoms, coupled with advanced technology, is enabling more young patients to have healthier, long-term outcomes that improve their quality of life.