Myocarditis primarily involves inflammation of which tissue?

• A. Inflammation of cardiac muscle and conduction system
• B. Inflammation of the pericardium
• C. Inflammation of the endocardium
• D. Infection of the myocardium

Answer: (A)

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, the myocardium, and because the heart’s electrical conduction system runs through that muscle, the inflammation can involve those conduction pathways as well. This is why myocarditis can present with rhythm disturbances or conduction problems in addition to impaired heart muscle contraction. Inflammation of the pericardium would be pericarditis, and inflammation of the endocardium would be endocarditis. While infections can cause myocarditis, the tissue primarily involved is the myocardium itself.