title: Inflammation, ECG changes and pericardial effusion: whom to biopsy in suspected myocarditis?
abstract: The role of endomyocardial biopsies in patients with clinically suspected acute myocarditis, myocarditis in the past, and dilated cardiomyopathy is discussed controversially. In fact, it is still under discussion whether information obtained from endomyocardial biopsies is relevant for further clinical decisions. Therefore this Critical Perspective will deal with the question, which patient should undergo endomyocardial biopsy investigations for an etiopathogenic differentiation of the disease and for the possible choice of immunomodulatory treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik II, Department of Cardiology and Pneumonology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12200, Berlin, Germany. matthias.pauschinger@charite.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pauschinger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noutsias
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lassner
authors.forename: H-P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Schultheiss
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kuehl
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index