Safety Pearls and Pitfalls

Myocarditis has a significant morbidity and mortality and may present as sudden death in a previous healthy individual (Grade of Evidence 1b)
The clinical presentation of myocarditis is varied and can result in diagnostic difficulty and delay (Grade of Evidence 2c)
There are many causes of myocarditis and a thorough clinical history and examination are mandatory
There is no single diagnostic test that will confirm a diagnosis of myocarditis in the ED
Patients suspected of having acute myocarditis should not be discharged home from the ED even if they are physiologically stable
Treatment of myocarditis is largely supportive and this may involve aggressive cardiorespiratory resuscitation in the ED