Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Myocarditis

Myocarditis and the Role of Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The purpose of this study is the assess the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with suspected myocarditis by applying different imaging sequences at different MR scanners

In patients with clinical suspicion of myocarditis biventricular endomyocardial biopsy is performed for definite diagnosis. In addition, patients undergo magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla within 24 hours. The imaging protocol of both scan include assessment of myocardial edema respectively edema ratio; myocardial hyperemia respectively global relative enhancement (gRE); myocardial fibrosis/necrosis respectively myocardial LE and T1 and T2 mapping sentences. Diagnostic performance of different imaging protocols as compared to the findings of endomyocardial biopsies is calculated.

The protocol also includes a follow-up MR can at 3 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

Symptoms such as:

• Dyspnea or Orthopnea or
• Palpitations or
• Exercise intolerance or
• Angina

Evidence of myocardial involvement:

• ventricular dysfunction on echocardiography or
• new or persistent ECG changes
• elevated Troponin T History of viral infection

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindication for magnetic resonance imaging
• Impaired renal function: glomerular filtration rate ≤ 30 ml/min/m2
• Patients presenting with pregnancy
• Patients without informed consent
• Participation in another trial.