A Study of Myocardial Damage and Left Ventricular Impairment in Scrub Typhus Cases

Dr. Balram Meena, Dr. Akshay Shankar Kharate, Dr. Chaudhari Jay Datta

Abstract: Scrub typhus, often elusive in its presentation, can range from a vague febrile episode to a life-threatening multi-organ crisis. In my view, the recognition of its cardiac complications?particularly myocarditis?remains underappreciated, despite their potential to shape patient outcomes. This hospital-based prospective cohort study, conducted at SRG Hospital & Medical College, Jhalawar between June 2024 and July 2025, followed 99 adults with confirmed scrub typhus to evaluate the frequency and profile of myocardial injury and left ventricular dysfunction. It is evident that nearly one in three patients (32.32%) developed myocarditis, with smokers, diabetics, and hypertensives showing a disproportionately higher risk. The myocarditis group demonstrated markedly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, elevated cardiac biomarkers (Troponin-T, CPK-MB), and increased need for vasopressors compared to their counterparts, with differences reaching strong statistical significance. This suggests that myocardial involvement is not a rare complication but a meaningful clinical reality that demands early suspicion, particularly in patients with pre-existing cardiometabolic risk factors. Taking this further, timely echocardiographic assessment and biomarker evaluation could help avert progression to severe cardiac dysfunction, ultimately influencing prognosis in a disease where hours often count.

Keywords: scrub typhus, myocarditis, left ventricular dysfunction, cardiac biomarkers, febrile illness

How to Cite?: Dr. Balram Meena, Dr. Akshay Shankar Kharate, Dr. Chaudhari Jay Datta, "A Study of Myocardial Damage and Left Ventricular Impairment in Scrub Typhus Cases", Volume 14 Issue 8, August 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 568-569, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25811153218, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25811153218