Combined immunosuppressive treatment for giant cell myocarditis: a case report

Abstract

Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is a rare and often fulminant autoimmune disease. The immune-mediated pathogenesis of GCM is also supported by animal models, association with other immunological diseases and therapeutic efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs. The diagnosis of GCM is based on endomyocardial biopsy. GCM is an orphan disease. Heart transplantation is effective but up to 25% of transplanted patients experience disease recurrence. Immunosuppressive drugs have been shown to be potential therapeutic agents for GCM. In the present case report, the prescription of cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisone resulted in a rapid and prolonged remission in support of the role of a combined immunosuppressive regimen in improving the long-term prognosis of this cardiac pathology.