PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Dragatakis, L. N.
AU  - Klassen, J.
AU  - Huttner, I.
AU  - Fraser, D. G.
AU  - Poirier, N. L.
AU  - Klassen, G. A.
TI  - Autoimmune myocarditis: a clinical entity
DP  - 1979 Feb 03
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - 317--321
VI  - 120
IP  - 3
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/120/3/317.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/120/3/317.full
SO  - CMAJ1979 Feb 03; 120
AB  - In a case of myocarditis electron microscopic and immunoflourescent studies of a transmural myocardial biopsy specimen indicated an autoimmune process. Extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, immunoglobulin and complement deposition along the sarcolemma and in the interstitium, and capillary endothelial injury were found. After a short course of immunosuppressive therapy the inflammatory process was replaced by collagenous scarring and lymphocytic depletion; the blood vessels were then normal. Earlier therapy in such cases may be lifesaving.