Current state of diagnosis of myocarditis and postinflammatory cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Diagnosis of myocarditis remains a challenge due to diversity of its clinical manifestation. A position statement of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases has been published in 2013. In this document developed by an expert consensus group, new diagnostic criteria for clinically suspected myocarditis have been proposed. The present article is based on data from this consensus statement. The article discusses in details current definitions of myocarditis. Classification of myocarditis and cardiomyopathies as well as their aetiology, pathogenesis and symptoms are also discussed. Diagnostic test for myocarditis are analysed with regard to their rank in diagnostic process. Further, diagnostic criteria for myocarditis based on clinical symptoms and diagnostic tests are thoroughly discussed. Finally, current European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases guidelines for diagnosis of  yocarditis/postinflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy are presented.