MYOCARDITIS MASQUERADING AS ISCHEMIC-HEART-DISEASE - THE DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY OF ANTIMYOSIN IMAGING

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.