MYOCARDITIS: ETIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, CLINICAL FEATURES, AND MANAGEMENT

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium that can result from a wide range of infectious, autoimmune, toxic, and idiopathic causes. The clinical presentation of myocarditis is highly variable, ranging from mild, self-limiting symptoms to severe acute heart failure, life-threatening arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Viral infections are considered the most common etiological factor, although autoimmune mechanisms and drug-induced myocardial injury are also increasingly recognized. The pathophysiology involves direct myocardial injury and immune-mediated inflammatory responses leading to myocyte necrosis and ventricular dysfunction. Early diagnosis remains challenging due to nonspecific clinical manifestations and limitations of diagnostic tools. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the etiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical features, and current approaches to the management of myocarditis, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and individualized treatment strategies