Clinic Characteristics of Varicella Zoster Myocarditis

Objective To analyze the clinic characteristics of varicella zoster myocarditis and to determine the diagnostic value of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI ) on the disease. Methods Information of 58 hospitalized patients with varicella zoster was collected, and the incidence of varicella zoster myocarditis and clinic characteristics (ECG, cTnI, age and sex distribution, etc. ) were analyzed respectively. Results It was found that 36.2% of the patients developed myocarditis. The old and female persons were much more susceptible to varicella zoster myocarditis. All patients had responsive ECG manifestations, and the abnormal ST T changes were more common than other ECG abnormalities. CTnI remained higher than normal and had significant diagnostic value. Most of the patients had good prognosis, only a few patients lasted a long time and even progressed into cardiomyopathy. Nearly all the patients came to see dermatologists when they felt ill initially. That would lead to more misdiagnosis. Conclusion Infection of varicella zoster can complicate myocarditis, we must pay more attention to the patients who suffer from varicella zoster especially in the aged and female; cTnI is an important and effective index for diagnosis of varicella zoster myocarditis.