[Lethal course of myocarditis successive to polymyositis]

The clinical course and post mortem findings of a 57 year old woman stuffering from polymyositis are reported. Besides the symptoms of the inflammatory musculoskeletal process the myocardial involvement finally gaines importance leading to the fatal outcome. Therefore the indication to early preventive pacemaker implantation is recommended in all cases of myocardial involvement with symptoms of conduction defects.