ROCHESTER, Minn., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Myocarditis is an
important, and often unrecognized cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
Several new diagnostic methods, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), are useful for diagnosing myocarditis, according to a study published
in the November 2009 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090105/MAYOLOGO)
"The use of MRI is particularly significant in the diagnosis of patients with
myocarditis because it is a standard, noninvasive method," says Leslie Cooper
Jr., M.D., Mayo Clinic Division of Cardiovascular Diseases.
Endomyocardial biopsy may be used for patients with acute dilated
cardiomyopathy associated with hemodynamic compromise, those with
life-threatening arrhythmia, and those whose condition does not respond to
conventional supportive therapy. "Recent improvements in staining methods of
biopsy samples have made it easier to read the slides because the stain is
more sensitive than previous methods," says Dr. Cooper.
Viral infection also is an important cause of myocarditis, and the spectrum of
viruses known to cause myocarditis has changed in the past two decades.
Important prognostic variables include the degree of left and right
ventricular dysfunction, heart block, and specific histopathological forms of
myocarditis.
A peer-reviewed journal, Mayo Clinic Proceedings publishes original articles
and reviews dealing with clinical and laboratory medicine, clinical research,
basic science research and clinical epidemiology. Mayo Clinic Proceedings is
published monthly by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research as
part of its commitment to the medical education of physicians. The journal has
been published for more than 80 years and has a circulation of 130,000
nationally and internationally. Articles are available online at
www.mayoclinicproceedings.com.
About Mayo Clinic
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SOURCE Mayo Clinic
Rebecca Finseth of Mayo Clinic, +1-507-284-5005 (days), +1-507-284-2511
(evenings), newsbureau@mayo.edu
