10th May 2025

Background

Myocarditis is defined as inflammation of the myocardium in the absence of acute or chronic ischaemia. The diagnosis is suspected by classical clinical features and suggestive non-invasive investigation features. It is a clinical syndrome and the aetiology varies by infective, autoimmune and non-immune diseases. It is most commonly caused by viral processes, and unfortunately, the infectious agent is rarely identified. Mild forms usually resolve spontaneously or are treated conservatively, but more severe or late-diagnosed myocarditis can lead to end-stage heart failure (due to dilated cardiomyopathy) and fatal cardiac arrhythmias.