Myocarditis is an inflammatory disorder of the heart muscle resulting from infections, immune-mediated mechanisms, toxins or hypersensitivity reactions. It presents with a diverse clinical spectrum, from mild chest pain and palpitations to severe heart failure, arrhythmias and cardiogenic shock. The complexity of its presentation and diagnostic challenges make it vital for clinicians to seek deeper understanding through expert-led learning and comprehensive cardiology conference sessions that clarify diagnostic pathways, imaging techniques, immunological mechanisms and evolving treatment strategies. Myocarditis requires early recognition and precise evaluation due to its potential for rapid deterioration and long-term sequelae.

A cornerstone of myocarditis evaluation is cardiac imaging, with cardiac MRI serving as the gold standard for tissue characterisation. MRI identifies edema, hyperemia, necrosis and fibrosis patterns that guide differentiation between viral, immune, toxic and autoimmune etiologies. Echocardiography supports the assessment of ventricular size, systolic function, pericardial effusion and global or regional wall-motion abnormalities. Endomyocardial biopsy remains essential in select cases, especially fulminant myocarditis or when specific etiologies like giant-cell myocarditis or sarcoidosis are suspected. Because of its relationship with inflammatory cardiomyopathy, the session explores how biomarkers, viral serology and immunology testing integrate with imaging findings to refine diagnosis.

Clinical presentations vary widely. Some patients develop chest pain resembling acute coronary syndrome, while others present with fatigue, dyspnea or arrhythmic events. Fulminant myocarditis, often triggered by viral infections, may lead to rapid hemodynamic collapse requiring mechanical circulatory support. The session highlights how to differentiate myocarditis from ischemic injury, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and pericardial disease through structured evaluation, biomarker interpretation and imaging algorithms.

Treatment strategies depend on etiology and severity. Viral myocarditis often requires supportive therapy, including heart failure management, arrhythmia control and close monitoring. Autoimmune and immune-mediated forms may benefit from immunosuppressive therapy. The programme reviews anti-inflammatory agents, mechanical support options, ECMO strategies and rehabilitation considerations for recovery of ventricular function. Attendees gain perspective on medication adjustments, follow-up imaging and return-to-activity planning, including restrictions for competitive athletes.

Long-term monitoring focuses on ventricular recovery, arrhythmia recurrence risk and prevention of chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. Case studies illustrate how clinicians track improvement through repeated imaging and functional assessment, guiding therapy tapering or escalation.

Future directions include molecular profiling, precision-medicine approaches, viral sequencing, AI-enhanced MRI interpretation and novel immunomodulatory therapies. This session equips clinicians with the expertise to diagnose myocarditis confidently, initiate tailored therapy and implement structured follow-up strategies that improve patient safety and long-term outcomes.