The Myth of Colchicine in Treating Myopericarditis: Case Report and Literature Review

Myopericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium with concurrent myocardial involvement. The clinical presentation of myopericarditis is often with varying degrees of cardiac symptomatology. Its etiology is often idiopathic, but it may also be related to infectious and inflammatory prodrome. Symptoms are proportional to the extent and pattern of myocardial involvement. Many are diagnosed sub-clinically during the management of other systemic illnesses. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are important tools in the evaluation of myopericarditis, as the diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction greatly affects the management, follow-up, and prognosis of these patients. The acute management of myopericarditis remains without clear direction and focuses on symptom control. The use of NSAIDs is often cautioned, as it has been described to actually accelerate the myocarditic process in animal models, possibly increasing mortality. Colchicine, a well-established anti-inflammatory agent, may have a role in the management of acute myopericarditis. We present two cases, each involving a young male, without underlying medical conditions, who presented to the emergency room with acute onset chest pain. Both were found to have elevated cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiographic (EKG) changes, admitted as in-patients and eventually diagnosed with acute myopericarditis. They made full recoveries and were eventually discharged home. Both were started on colchicine during hospitalization, which were continued for several months upon discharge. Overall, there is limited published data regarding the medical management of myopericarditis. There need to be prospective studies and registries to further our knowledge in the management of this illness.