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Updated: Sep 11, 2026

Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Abnormalities in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Imaging in the Mouse
12:24

Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Abnormalities in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Imaging in the Mouse

Published on: June 20, 2014

[Myocarditis in an autopsy cohort]

G Wagner1, D Gardiol

  • 1Institut universitaire de pathologie, Lausanne.

Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
|May 20, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle, was found in 1.8% of autopsy cases. Septic and idiopathic myocarditis were the primary causes, with idiopathic cases often linked to mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pathology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Autopsy Studies

Context:

  • Myocarditis is an inflammatory condition of the heart muscle with diverse etiologies.
  • Autopsy studies provide crucial data for understanding disease prevalence and causes of death.
  • Determining the etiology of myocarditis is essential for clinical management and public health.

Purpose:

  • To determine the prevalence and etiological spectrum of myocarditis in a large autopsy cohort.
  • To investigate the role of septic and idiopathic myocarditis as causes of death.

Summary:

  • A retrospective autopsy study identified 159 cases (1.8%) of myocarditis among 8,663 consecutive autopsies, including 7 pediatric cases.
  • Etiology was determined in 68 cases, with 61 attributed to septic myocarditis (including fungal and toxoplasmosis) and 91 cases classified as idiopathic.
  • Idiopathic myocarditis was a confirmed cause of death in 10 cases, and in others, the extent of myocardial infiltrate suggested its probable involvement in mortality.

Impact:

  • This study highlights the significant prevalence of myocarditis in autopsy findings.
  • It underscores the importance of identifying specific etiologies, particularly septic and idiopathic forms, in myocarditis cases.
  • Findings contribute to a better understanding of myocarditis's role in sudden and unexpected deaths.

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