Table 1. Baseline characteristics of study population divided on the basis of persistent left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction.
| Study population | Persistent LV dysfunction at follow-up | Normal LV function at follow-up | p | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (N = 48) | (N = 27, 56%) | (N = 21, 44%) | ||
| Age (years) | 38±16 | 43±14 | 32±15 | 0.03 |
| Age <15 (%) | 2 (4) | 1 (4) | 1 (5) | 0.856 |
| Male gender, n (%) | 25 (52) | 14 (52) | 11 (52) | 0.601 |
| Duration of symptoms (days) | 11 (5–26) | 20 (14–28) | 5 (3–6) | <0.001 |
| Admission Heart Rate (bpm) | 95±34 | 81±25 | 114±36 | 0.001 |
| Admission SBP (mmHg) | 103±21 | 110±16 | 87±23 | 0.002 |
| NYHA Class | ||||
| II | 17 (35) | 11 (41) | 7 (33) | 0.880 |
| III | 14 (29) | 12 (44) | 2 (10) | 0.008 |
| IV | 16 (33) | 4 (15) | 12 (60) | 0.001 |
| Fulminant forms, n (%) | 23 (48) | 6 (22) | 17 (81) | <0.001 |
| Flu-like symptoms, n (%) | 40 (83) | 20 (74) | 20 (95) | 0.087 |
| Increased CRP, n (%) | 24 (50) | 8 (30) | 16 (76) | <0.001 |
| Atrial Fibrillation, n (%) | 5 (10) | 1 (4) | 4 (19) | 0.09 |
| LBBB, n (%) | 3 (6) | 1 (4) | 2 (10) | 0.693 |
| 1st, 2nd, 3rd AV Blocks, n (%) | 7 (15) | 4 (15) | 3 (14) | 0.623 |
| LVEDD (mm) | 57±9 | 60±6 | 51±10 | <0.001 |
| Baseline LVEF (%) | 26±9 | 28±7 | 24±11 | 0.211 |
| LVEF at discharge (%) | 42±13 | 32±8 | 53±8 | <0.001 |
| Pericardial effusion, n (%) | 13 (27) | 4 (15) | 9 (43) | 0.039 |
| Poor lymphocytic Infiltrate*, n (%) | 15 (31) | 13 (48) | 2 (10) | 0.008 |
| Moderate-to severe fibrosis at EMB | 16 (33) | 10 (37) | 6 (29) | 0.550 |
| Beta-blockers at discharge, n (%) | 38 (79) | 25 (93) | 13 (62) | 0.012 |
| ACE-inhibitors-ARBs at discharge, n (%) | 43 (90) | 24 (89) | 19 (90) | 0.621 |
| Aldosterone receptors antagonist at discharge, n (%) | 18 (38) | 12 (44) | 6 (29) | 0.205 |
| Immunosuppressive therapy (%) | 35 (73) | 20 (74) | 15 (71) | 0.838 |
Values are expressed as mean±SD or median with interquartile range as appropriate, and as percentage.
ACE, angiotensin converting enzyme; ARBs, angiotensin receptor blockers; AV, atrioventricular; CRP, C-reactive protein; EMB: endomiocardial biopsy; LBBB, left bundle branch block; LM: lymphocytic myocarditis; LVEDD, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter; LVEDV, left ventricular end-diastolic volume; LVEF, ejection fraction; MR, mitral regurgitation; RFP, restrictive filling pattern; SBP, systolic blood pressure;
*vs. moderate to plentiful