Division CVS-CARD: Myocarditis or pericarditis

Myocarditis or pericarditis must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Patient has organisms cultured from pericardial tissue or fluid obtained by needle aspiration or during a surgical operation

• Patient has at least two of the following signs or symptoms with no other recognised cause: fever (> 38 °C), chest pain, paradoxical pulse, or increased heart size

AND at least one of the following:

• abnormal EKG consistent with myocarditis or pericarditis

• positive antigen test on blood (e.g. Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae)

• evidence of myocarditis or pericarditis on histologic examination of heart tissue

• four-fold rise in type-specific antibody with or without isolation of virus from pharynx or faeces

• pericardial effusion identified by echocardiogram, CT scan, MRI, or angiography