On a rainy March day in Baltimore, 100 cardiovascular pathologists and cardiologists, from around the world, met in person or virtually to discuss myocarditis. The event was the culmination of a two-year process to develop new or revised criteria for the heart tissue diagnosis of myocarditis led by the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology and the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology. These criteria are:
- the first ever for certain tissue types
- an advancement over criteria that are more than 35 years old for heart biopsy tissue.
The event included basic science, introductions of two new sets of criteria, clinical studies of these new criteria, and a lively, interactive discussion. We achieved strong agreement on diagnostic criteria for larger heart tissues including hearts seen at transplant or when a left ventricular assist device is placed. We found there is still work to be done for achieving strong consensus for heart tissue biopsies as a result of the discussion, but with a new path forward. The meeting concluded with clearing skies and a celebration of what was accomplished. These new criteria will help pathologists and clinicians make the correct diagnosis of myocarditis to help with finding better treatments for patients.
The organizers of the meeting thank the Myocarditis Foundation for their generous support of the meeting. .
The Myocarditis Foundation banner was prominently displayed at the entrance of the event location .
Picture of it held by Carla Giordano (Italy), Marc Halushka, (USA and Medical Advisory Board Member), Sarah Parsons (Australia), and Joseph Maleszewski (USA) – all members of the consensus groups.
