Acute heart failure and myocarditis

Abstract

Myocarditis is defined as inflammation of heart muscle (1). The study of myocarditis has been made difficult by a number of factors. The clinical picture of myocarditis varies widely, from asymptomatic patients who suffer no long-term sequelae, to critically ill patients with heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Because of the variable clinical picture, a true incidence is difficult to determine. In addition, there are no standardized specific criteria for making the diagnosis of myocarditis or in determining an etiology in individual patients (2). Many different etiologic agents have been implicated in this disease. Also, there has been controversy regarding the most appropriate medical therapy for this condition. © 2008 Springer-Verlag London.