Overview
Introduction
Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is an uncommon, aggressive inflammatory disease that destroys heart muscle and can cause both pump failure and electrical instability.
NCLEX-RN
NCLEX-RN
Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is an uncommon, aggressive inflammatory disease that destroys heart muscle and can cause both pump failure and electrical instability. A patient may progress from new heart failure to cardiogenic shock, sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or complete heart block. The combination of rapidly worsening ventricular function with a serious ventricular arrhythmia or advanced atrioventricular block should raise immediate suspicion for a high-risk myocarditis syndrome. This is a time-critical condition. Stabilization, urgent involvement of cardiology and advanced-heart-failure specialists, early endomyocardial biopsy, and specialist-directed immunosuppression may need to proceed in parallel. The nurse's first priorities are recognition of deterioration, continuous monitoring, emergency rhythm and perfusion support within scope and protocol, and rapid access to a centre that can provide biopsy, mechanical circulatory support, and transplantation assessment.
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