Myocarditis classification


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.

Overview
Myocarditis can be classified clinicopathologically into: Fulminant myocarditis, Acute myocarditis, Chronic active myocarditis and Chronic persistent myocarditis.

==Clinicopathological classification ==


 * Fulminant myocarditis: Fulminant myocarditis occurs following a viral prodrome. Fulminant myocarditis presents as acute severe cardiovascular compromise with ventricular dysfunction. The prognosis is good if the patient survives the acute illness.  On endomyocardial biopsy, there are multiple focci of inflammation.


 * Acute myocarditis: Acute myocarditis presents with a less distinct onset of the illness. When the patient does present, there is already a decline in left ventricular dysfunction. Acute myocarditis may progress to dilated cardiomyopathy.


 * Chronic active myocarditis: Chronic active myocarditis has a less distinct onset of the illness. There are clinical and histologic relapses and the development of ventricular dysfunction.  Histologically, chronic inflammatory changes with mild to moderate fibrosis may be present.


 * Chronic persistent myocarditis: Chronic persistent myocarditis has a less distinct onset of the illness. Histologically it is characterized by persistent infiltration and myocyte necrosis. Despite the presence of symptoms, ventricular dysfunction is absent.