AHA Releases Guidance on Myocarditis in Children

The American Heart Association has released a scientific statement on the diagnosis and management of myocarditis in the pediatric population.

This statement was created to serve as an update to current knowledge of this condition, and to appeal for additional investigation to improve both morbidity and mortality in children.

Included in the statement:

• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, polymerase chain reaction testing, immunohistochemistry, and echocardiogram screenings may be used as less invasive tools for diagnosing myocarditis
• Presentations of myocarditis in children vary in severity, from fever and syncope to heart failure, life-threatening arrhythmias, or cardiogenic shock.
• Potential outcomes include clinical resolution, chronic persistent myocarditis, arrhythmias, and heart failure.  

While several aspects of the diagnosis, treatment, and management of myocarditis is similar in adults and children, the incidence and causes of myocarditis vary with age.

“This statement highlights advances in our understanding of the immunopathogenesis, new and shifting dominant pathogeneses, modern laboratory testing, and use nof mechanical circulatory support, with a special emphasis on innovations in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging,” the writing group concluded. “Despite these strides forward, we struggle without a universally accepted definition of myocarditis, which impedes progress in disease-target therapy.”

—Leigh Precopio

Reference:

Law YM, Lal AK, Chen S, et al. Diagnosis and management of myocarditis in children: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. Published online July 7, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001001