Diagnosis and Management of Myocarditis in Children
Published: July 07, 2021
- Efforts to define myocarditis have evolved from historically relying on biopsy proven pathologic diagnosis to increasing use of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging while continuing to integrate clinical and laboratory criteria to improve the diagnostic yield of these tools. Four strata that can confirm the diagnosis include: (1) biopsy proven, (2) CMR confirmed clinically suspected, (3) clinically suspected, and (4) possible myocarditis.
- Acute myocarditis from a viral etiology is most prevalent in children; however, there remains a diverse array of infectious and non-infectious causes of myocarditis that should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
- To improve outcomes, a set of criteria for the diagnosis of myocarditis based on current diagnostic tools should be top priority and will inform multi-institutional, scientifically rigorous investigation of current treatment options.
Recommended Reading
- 2020 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- 2020 Recognition and Initial Management of Fulminant Myocarditis
- 2017 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death
- 2015 Eligibility and Disqualification Recommendations for Competitive Athletes With Cardiovascular Abnormalities: Task Force 3: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy and Other Cardiomyopathies, and Myocarditis
- 2014 Diagnosis and Treatment of Myocarditis in Children in the Current Era
- 2012 Demographics, Trends, and Outcomes in Pediatric Acute Myocarditis in the United States, 2006 to 2011