Rheumatoid arthritis, a rare cause of acute myocarditis: a case report

Abstract

Cardiovascular features in rheumatoid arthritis are common. However, the association of rheumatoid arthritis and myocarditis is seldom described. We report the case of a 56-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis presenting with dyspnea. Echocardiography revealed severe left ventricle dysfunction and coronarography made it possible to eliminate a coronary artery disease. Cardiac MRI ultimately made the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. The patient improved gradually without immunosuppressive therapy. Conservative treatment is a feasible strategy for myocarditis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords

• rheumatoid arthritis
• myocarditis
• cardiac mri
• conservative treatment