Myocarditis.
Myocarditis is difficult to diagnose owing to its diversity of presentation. Definitive treatment strategies remain elusive as well. Intuitively, therapies for viral myocarditis should be directed towards eradicating the viral infection and modulating the subsequent immune response. Antiviral agents have not yet been adequately studied. Immunomodulating therapy is difficult to develop as the immune system is both protective and injurious in this disease. Clinical trials to date suggest that there may be a window early in the disease process in which immunosuppressive therapy would be effective but this remains unproven. This possibility makes early diagnosis essential. Improved diagnostic and therapeutic measures clearly need to be developed.
Kingman
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MUSC Division of Cardiology, 96 Jonathan Lucas St., Suite 816, P.O. Box 250623, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Van Bakel
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D006801:Humans; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy