How is myocarditis detected?

Written by Zhou Yan

Geriatrics

Updated on September 12, 2024

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The diagnosis of myocarditis includes several aspects: The electrocardiogram may show STT changes, or various arrhythmias. Chest radiography may reveal an enlarged cardiac silhouette, while an echocardiogram may be normal or show left ventricular enlargement. Magnetic resonance imaging may show myocardial edema or congestion. Biochemical examinations may reveal elevated levels of troponin and myocardial enzymes, as well as increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. Additional diagnostic methods include etiological examinations, which can identify viral infections through blood or stool samples. Furthermore, endocarditis or myocardial biopsy can provide definitive diagnosis.

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Written by Tao Kun

Geriatrics

42sec

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Difference between myocarditis and myocardial injury

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardial cells caused by a virus that has not been timely cleared following a respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infection. It is a term used for disease diagnosis. Myocardial injury, on the other hand, refers to the necrosis of myocardial cells due to various factors, including viral myocarditis and myocardial ischemia caused by the narrowing of coronary arteries. Therefore, myocardial injury is a state diagnosis, not a term used for disease diagnosis. Myocardial injury usually leads to elevated levels of troponin.

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Written by Zhou Yan

Geriatrics

1min 1sec

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How is myocarditis diagnosed?

The examination of myocarditis includes several aspects: First, the biochemical blood test shows that white blood cells can increase, erythrocyte sedimentation rate can accelerate, and both cardiac enzymes and troponins can rise. There may also be abnormalities in the electrocardiogram, such as arrhythmias or ST-segment changes. In addition, there are X-ray examinations, which can show an enlarged heart shadow or pulmonary congestion. Echocardiograms may not show any specific changes or can exhibit phase-dependent or regional abnormalities in ventricular wall motion. Furthermore, nuclear imaging and magnetic resonance imaging indicate the presence of fluttering and inflammatory changes. The virological examination can isolate the virus through throat swabs or stool samples, and if necessary, an endocardial or myocardial biopsy can be performed.

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Written by Xiao Chang Jiang

Cardiology

33sec

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Is myocarditis contagious?

Many people often ask if my myocarditis is contagious. Actually, myocarditis is a focal inflammatory lesion of the myocardium or a diffuse inflammatory disease of the entire myocardium. It is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium. Based on the cause, we classify it into infectious and non-infectious types. The infectious type is mostly caused by viruses, such as Coxsackievirus B, or by bacteria, while non-infectious type is caused by allergies. Generally, they are not contagious.

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Written by Xiao Chang Jiang

Cardiology

59sec

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Is myocarditis serious?

Is myocarditis serious? In fact, myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium. Patients with myocarditis may experience symptoms such as fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, discomfort or pain in the precordial area, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. During examinations, we often see slight enlargement of the heart, arrhythmias, gallop rhythm, and other manifestations of heart dysfunction. In severe cases, myocarditis can lead to fulminant myocarditis, such as severe heart failure or cardiogenic shock, often accompanied by arrhythmias. Even with timely and standard treatment, death may occur due to the severity of the condition. Even if patients with myocarditis recover, they may still have some sequelae on the electrocardiogram, such as atrioventricular block, bundle branch block, premature beats, or junctional rhythm.

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Written by Zhou Yan

Geriatrics

1min 15sec

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How is myocarditis cured?

Myocarditis often has a self-limiting course, and viral infection is a common cause of myocarditis. Currently, there is no specific treatment for viral myocarditis. Treatments are divided into two main categories: general treatment, primarily consisting of rest. Generally, patients should rest in bed for more than three months, while also paying attention to their diet by eating easily digestible foods rich in vitamins and proteins. The second category is drug treatment, which mainly supports heart function. In cases of heart failure, diuretics, vasodilators, and ACE inhibitors should be administered. For arrhythmias, anti-arrhythmic treatment is necessary. If viral myocarditis is confirmed, antiviral treatment should be given. Additionally, drugs that enhance myocardial metabolism, such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate, coenzyme A, or adenosine triphosphate, should also be used. (Specific medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)