Resident inflammatory cells in the myocardium of children: On the way to set histologic reference standards to differentiate normal myocardium from myocarditis

Myocarditis, defined clinically and pathologically as myocardial inflammation, is thought to be the most common cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in childhood, accounting for 46% of known causes of dilated cardiomyopathy [1]. The clinical presentation can vary from asymptomatic electrocardiographic abnormalities, through fulminant acute heart failure, to sudden cardiac death. Furthermore, myocardial inflammation can be a trigger for acute decompensation in individuals with genetic cardiomyopathy and can also develop into a chronic inflammatory process.
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research