Myocarditis: review of a clinical enigma.

Myocarditis is a disease process that is poorly understood. The incidence of myocarditis may vary with age, sex, and season of the year. The pathogenesis of myocarditis has been studied in animal models. Several investigators have documented the development of myocardial damage in mice after infection with a virus. Patients with myocarditis may present with highly variable clinical pictures ranging from no clinical manifestations to overt clinical congestive heart failure or sudden death. Endomyocardial biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of myocarditis. There are conflicting data regarding treatment of myocarditis. Immunosuppression may be useful in reducing myocardial inflammation and preventing irreversible myocardial damage. Nurses participate in care of patients during evaluation and treatment for myocarditis. Ongoing assessment of cardiac function is imperative at all times.