Patterns and clinical manifestations of tuberculous myocarditis: a systematic review of cases

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a rare cause of myocarditis. It is however associated with a high mortality when it occurs and is often diagnosed at post-mortem. Tuberculous myocarditis prevalence in males is twice that in females. Most of the reported cases of tuberculous myocarditis are predominantly in immunocompetent patients. Out of the reported fatalities (sudden cardiac deaths), eighty one percent (81%) occur in the ''young'' patients (below 45years). Antituberculosis drug therapy does not appear to offer mortality benefit against sudden cardiac deaths.

Keywords

• tuberculosis
• myocarditis
• sudden cardiac death