FDG-PET/CT Images Comparing to MRI and Endomyocardial Biopsy in Myocarditis

Fifty hospitalized consecutive patients with clinically suspected myocarditis (MC) who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria will be enrolled to the study. During index hospitalization patients will undergo a standard clinical evaluation (physical examination, collection of a medical history, blood tests (including troponin, N-terminal-pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NTproBNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 (ST2), Galectin-3), 24-h Holter ECG, echo, coronary angiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Women of childbearing potential will undergo a pregnancy test prior to radiological examinations. After signing the informed consent patients will undergo resting single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to assess possible myocardial perfusion defects and then 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography FDG-PET/CT. After MRI and FDG-PET/CT tests patients will undergo right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) (5-8 myocardial tissue samples). Blood biomarkers of fibrosis and myocardial necrosis, as well as anticardiac autoantibodies will be evaluated at baseline and after 3 months (serum will be stored at -80 °C for final evaluation). After 3-months from enrollment follow-up visit will be performed with clinical evaluation. All patients will undergo physical examination, collection of a medical history, blood tests, 24-h Holter ECG, echo, MRI.