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. 2025 Aug 4;17(8):e89322.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.89322. eCollection 2025 Aug. Fulminant Influenza A Myocarditis in a Healthy Young Adult Salvaged With Biventricular Impella Support: A Case Report
Ahmad Jalil 1 , Fatima Rajab 2 , Maheen Zaidi 1
Affiliations
Fulminant myocarditis is a rare but life-threatening complication of influenza A infection that can result in acute biventricular failure leading to cardiogenic shock. Here, we present the case of a young patient who developed acute bilateral heart failure secondary to influenza A and was successfully stabilized using both right and left-sided Impella devices. This case highlights the critical role of early and aggressive mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in managing fulminant myocarditis and emphasizes the utility of Impella in cases of severe cardiac dysfunction. Our patient showed a remarkable recovery, with significant improvement in ejection fraction within days of initiating MCS. Notably, a strong family history of myocarditis was present, raising the possibility of a genetic predisposition to developing fulminant myocarditis in response to viral infections. This case underscores the potential for serious and potentially fatal cardiogenic complications of a common viral illness in genetically susceptible individuals.
Keywords: fulminant myocarditis; impella device; influenza a infection; interventional cardiology; young adult male.
. 2025 Aug 4;17(8):e89322.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.89322. eCollection 2025 Aug. Fulminant Influenza A Myocarditis in a Healthy Young Adult Salvaged With Biventricular Impella Support: A Case Report
Ahmad Jalil 1 , Fatima Rajab 2 , Maheen Zaidi 1
Affiliations
- PMID: 40909055
- PMCID: PMC12406624
- DOI: 10.7759/cureus.89322
Fulminant myocarditis is a rare but life-threatening complication of influenza A infection that can result in acute biventricular failure leading to cardiogenic shock. Here, we present the case of a young patient who developed acute bilateral heart failure secondary to influenza A and was successfully stabilized using both right and left-sided Impella devices. This case highlights the critical role of early and aggressive mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in managing fulminant myocarditis and emphasizes the utility of Impella in cases of severe cardiac dysfunction. Our patient showed a remarkable recovery, with significant improvement in ejection fraction within days of initiating MCS. Notably, a strong family history of myocarditis was present, raising the possibility of a genetic predisposition to developing fulminant myocarditis in response to viral infections. This case underscores the potential for serious and potentially fatal cardiogenic complications of a common viral illness in genetically susceptible individuals.
Keywords: fulminant myocarditis; impella device; influenza a infection; interventional cardiology; young adult male.