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Role of Endomyocardial Biopsy for Children Presenting With Acute Systolic Heart Failure

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Abstract

Myocarditis, an inflammatory disease of the heart, frequently results from viral infections, postviral immune-mediated responses, or both. It is a common cause of acute-onset systolic heart failure in children. Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of myocarditis. However, EMB is not performed for most myocarditis cases involving children in the United States. Clinical scenarios in which EMB results added unique prognostic data and guidance to therapy have been defined recently. This review outlines the role of EMB in the diagnosis and management of myocarditis for children presenting with acute-onset systolic heart failure.

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  1. Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Children’s Medical Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA

    Bibhuti B. Das

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  1. Bibhuti B. Das
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Correspondence to Bibhuti B. Das.

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Das, B.B. Role of Endomyocardial Biopsy for Children Presenting With Acute Systolic Heart Failure. Pediatr Cardiol 35, 191–196 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-013-0807-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-013-0807-0

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