A Case Report on Myocarditis in Asymptomatic Athletes. What Shall We Do?

Myocarditis is a cardiac disease of heterogeneous aetiology characterised by the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the myocardium and a potential risk of impairment of cardiac function. Viral myocarditis appears to be a major cause of unexpected death in persons under 40 years of age, particularly in athletes and persons engaged in moderate physical activity, and may progress to chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. With this article, the author describes two recent cases of young athletes with subacute myopericarditis who underwent cardiovascular imaging investigations as a consequence of a polymorphic ventricular arrhythmia recorded during the examination and electrocardiogram with exercise testing required for competitive sports preparticipation screening.

Keywords: Myopericarditis, Athletes, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance, Echocardiography, Arrhythmias.