While<unk>  has many etiologies and a variable constellation of signs and symptoms, there are few causes that are treatable and thus the main focus is on symptom management. In cases with biopsy-proven<unk> , the causative cell type can indicate potentially beneficial treatments. These treatments typically consist of corticosteroids, or medications with known benefits in certain autoimmune and systemic conditions. In a majority of cases, the main therapies are used to support patients and are dependent on the severity of symptoms and the time course across which<unk>  develops. Supportive therapies can be divided into two broad categories, medications and mechanical support, since there has yet to be any demonstrated benefits from complementary therapies. Medication The specific medications that are used to support patients are directly related to the cause of the symptom or sign. Just as the symptoms of<unk>  mirror those of congestive heart failure, so too do the therapies. Additionally, the order in which therapies are used depends on the degree of heart dysfunction, with stabilization of patient blood pressure and breathing taking highest priority when present. This can involve the use of inotropes, or medications that make the heart contract with greater force, as well as antiarrhythmic drugs such as adenosine or carvedilol. In patients that have stable and adequate heart function, further treatments are based on heart failure guidelines. ACE inhibitors can have a protective benefit to the heart, so they are typically used in any patient with symptomatic<unk> . Simultaneously, beta blockers are used in patients that can tolerate their heart beating at a slower rate. Shortness of breath at rest and swelling can be relieved with diuretics such as furosemide, and the addition of aldosterone receptor blockers can augment the diuresis while preventing the excess loss of potassium. In patients with symptoms while resting, additional medications can be added such as digoxin. Mechanical support Mechanical support is used in cases of<unk>  in which medications alone do not lead to adequate heart function and the body requires additional support to achieve organ perfusion.<unk>  cases that require mechanical circulatory support are categorized as fulminant by definition. People that require additional support with their heart function can benefit from the use of ventricular assist devices like intra-aortic balloon pumps. In people with<unk>  severe enough to cause cardiac arrest, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used to adequately pump blood and provide oxygen if needed. Both ventricular assist devices and ECMO can be used as bridge therapy until heart transplantation in patients that are candidates. Heart transplantation is reserved for those that do not respond to the aforementioned conventional medical therapies.
Myocarditis
Myocardial stunning
Carditis
Endocarditis
Myopericarditis
Constrictive pericarditis
Pericarditis
Myocardial infarction