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Acute fulminant myocarditis (AFM) may represent a life-threatening event, characterized by rapidly progressive cardiac compromise that ultimately leads to refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) provides effective cardiocirculatory support in this circumstance, but few clinical series are available about early and long-term results. Data from a multicenter study group are reported which analyzed subjects affected by AFM and treated with VA-ECMO during a 5-year period

In end-stage, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients undergoing transplantation, more than one-third of the left ventricular myocardium was replaced by fibrosis, mainly of replacement type. MF preferentially involved the left ventricular apex and the midwall. Inferior and anterior walls and septum were maximally involved, whereas inferolateral and right ventricular were usually spared. These observations reflect the complex pathophysiology of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and may provide clues for the timely recognition of disease progression by imaging techniques capable of quantifying MF.

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