How is myocarditis diagnosed?

Currently, in clinical practice, myocarditis is a relatively common condition. To determine whether you have myocarditis, diagnostic tests are essential—only through these examinations can you effectively confirm or rule out the diagnosis. So, how is myocarditis diagnosed?

How Is Myocarditis Diagnosed?

Diagnostic modalities for myocarditis include chest X-ray, which may reveal cardiac enlargement; in cases of pericardial effusion, a characteristic “flask-shaped” cardiac silhouette may be observed. Electrocardiography (ECG) commonly shows ST-T wave abnormalities and may demonstrate various types of arrhythmias—particularly ventricular arrhythmias and atrioventricular (AV) conduction blocks. Echocardiography may appear normal or may reveal left ventricular dilation and reduced regional wall motion. Patients with pericarditis may exhibit pericardial effusion, whereas in myocarditis, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) typically demonstrates patchy myocardial enhancement on late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging.

Biomarkers of myocardial injury may include elevated levels of creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, and cardiac troponin (troponin T or I). Nonspecific inflammatory markers—such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)—are frequently elevated. Viral serology may suggest an etiological agent but cannot serve as a definitive diagnostic criterion. A confirmed diagnosis of myocarditis may be established by detecting viral particles, viral antigens, viral genomic fragments, or viral proteins in endomyocardial, myocardial, or pericardial tissue specimens.

Patients are advised to maintain adequate warmth and avoid upper respiratory infections. We hope this information proves helpful to you.