Valiton Valérian, Carballo David, Seebach Jörg D, Meyer Philippe
Service de Cardiologie, HUG, 1211 Genève 14.
Service d'immunologie et d'allergologie, HUG, 1211 Genève 14.
Rev Med Suisse. 2020 Jun 3;16(696):1133-1139.
Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium caused by various etiologies with a dominance of viral infections and potential post-infectious autoimmunity. The clinical presentation ranges from chest pain to severe complications including cardiogenic shock, ventricular arrhythmias, and progression to dilated cardiomyopathy. The diagnostic approach is challenging and includes several investigations, such as an ECG, an echocardiography, troponin testing and the exclusion of coronary artery disease. Although endomyocardial biopsy remains the gold standard, cardiovascular magnetic resonance is now the most valuable tool to accurately characterize myocardial tissue inflammation. The management is mainly symptomatic and consists in early detection and treatment of complications including heart failure and arrhythmias.