Acute Non-Rheumatic Myopericarditis: A Follow-up Study

15 adult patients with acute non-rheumatic myopericarditis were examined 1–4 years after the onset of the disease. Case histories revealed that all patients were able to recommence their work within 1½–15 months, some in hard labour. At the time of follow-up, more than half of the patients practised various types of exercise. Subjective chest symptoms were experienced in ⅓ of the patients. Physical examination of the heart revealed murmurs without clinical significance in ⅓ of the patients. Electrocardiography was performed at rest, in orthostatic tests and at work, the physical working capacity was determined and the roentgenological heart volume was measured in the supine position. ECG abnormalities were noted in 11 (73%) of the patients. Some abnormalities were found only at orthostatic tests or at work. Many patients exhibited “sympathicotonic” circulatory reactions. In general, the physical working capacity was within normal limits, and 13 (87%) of the patients showed a normal correlation of working capacity to heart volume within 4 years. A pronounced decrease in heart volume in the course of 2 years between follow-up investigations was noted in some patients.