K. Lambert et al., MYOCARDITIS MASQUERADING AS ISCHEMIC-HEART-DISEASE - THE DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY OF ANTIMYOSIN IMAGING, Cardiology, 82(6), 1993, pp. 415-422
The diagnosis of myocarditis presents a diagnostic challenge due to it
s varied clinical presentation. In addition, criteria for myocarditis
are varied. At present, the confirmation of myocarditis depends on an
endomyocardial biopsy demonstrating myocardial inflammation and necros
is. Unfortunately, this invasive procedure is associated with some deg
ree of risk and has significant limitations. This report discusses the
case presentations of two patients with chest pain, electrocardiograp
hic changes and elevated creatine kinase levels suggestive of myocardi
al infarction, who were subsequently found to have findings compatible
with myocarditis based on indium-111 antimyosin antibody scanning. Th
is noninvasive test therefore appears to have value in the differentia
tion of myocardial ischemia from myocarditis.