New Imaging Technologies Found Useful for Diagnosing Myocarditis

Myocarditis is a significant, and frequently unrecognized cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Several new diagnostic methods, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are useful for diagnosing myocarditis, according to a recent study.

The new research, performed by scientists from the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, USA), was published in the November 2009 issue of the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings. "The use of MRI is particularly significant in the diagnosis of patients with myocarditis because it is a standard, noninvasive method,” said one of the study investigators, Leslie Cooper Jr., M.D., Mayo Clinic division of cardiovascular diseases.

In their study, the researchers reviewed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of viral myocarditis. English-language publications in PubMed and references from relevant articles published between January 1, 1985, and August 5, 2008, were analyzed.

Endomyocardial biopsy may be used for patients with acute dilated cardiomyopathy associated with hemodynamic compromise, those with life-threatening arrhythmia, and those whose condition does not respond to conventional supportive therapy. "Recent improvements in staining methods of biopsy samples have made it easier to read the slides because the stain is more sensitive than previous methods,” said Dr. Cooper.

Viral infection also is an important cause of myocarditis, and the spectrum of viruses known to cause myocarditis has changed in the past two decades. Important prognostic variables include the degree of left and right ventricular dysfunction, heart block, and specific histopathologic forms of myocarditis.

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