An Autopsy Case of Fulminant Myocarditis That Was Treated with a Biventricular Assist Device

A 55-year-old female visited our hospital with the chief complaint of general fatigue, and was admitted emergently because of unstable hemodynamics with elevated cardiac enzymes. Cardiac catheterization was performed, which showed no significant stenosis in the coronary arteries, and the patient was therefore diagnosed as having fulminant myocarditis. Assisted circulation with intraaortic balloon pumping and percutaneous cardiopulmonary support were performed immediately. Furthermore, implantation of a biventricular assist device (BVAD) was necessary. Despite intensive care, the patient died without recovering. Fulminant myocarditis is a fatal disease that is likely to cause cardiogenic shock, requiring intensive care with emergency surgery. We report a case of fulminant myocarditis, for which management with a BVAD was attempted.