[Contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with acute myocarditis]

Acute myocarditis is a serious condition that is challenging to diagnose. Recent developments in contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (ce-MRI) enable visualization of myocardial damage in patients with myocarditis. The objective of this study was to identify patients in whom ce-MRI could be useful to reach such a diagnosis.

We reviewed data from 37 patients referred to ce-MRI with suspected acute myocarditis at Stavanger University Hospital from July 2004 to May 2007.

20 patients had epicardial contrast enhancement compatible with myocarditis. The contrast enhancement was focal and most frequently localized to the inferolateral wall (n = 12). No patient with Troponin T < 0.1 microg/L (n = 7) showed epicardial contrast enhancement. It was not possible to distinguish patients with acute myocarditis from the other patients on the basis of clinical signs, symptoms, C-reactive protein levels, ECG- or echocardiography.

Ce-cardiac MRI is important in the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. If troponin T levels are < 0.1 microg/L during the acute phase, it is unlikely that a contrast enhancement pattern will be compatible with myocarditis.