Myocarditis is often diagnosed after more common causes of cardiac dysfunction have been excluded. Imaging, blood markers and occasionally biopsy support assessment.
Cardiac imaging
•
Echocardiography should be performed and may show left ventricular dysfunction. Dysfunction can be regional when myocarditis is focal.
•
Cardiac MRI may show diagnostic patterns of myocardial inflammation or infiltration.
Electrical findings and cardiac injury markers
•
The ECG is frequently abnormal, but its changes are nonspecific.
•
Cardiac troponin I or T should be assessed in blood and can be used to monitor the severity and progression of cardiac injury and myocarditis.
Diagnostic confirmation
•
Endomyocardial biopsy is occasionally required to confirm the diagnosis.