CMR-positive IM patients were more symptomatic than active SLE. More than half of CMR-positive patients also had positive EMB. PCR was positive in almost all IM, but unusual in SLE. Due to the subclinical presentation of SLE myocarditis and the limitations of EMB, CMR presents the best alternative for the diagnosis of SLE myocarditis.

In a Greek population with myocarditis, Chlamydia with viruses was a common finding. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance and PCR proved useful for the detection of myocarditis; EGE and LGE had the best correlation for the development of heart failure. Persistence of the initially detected infective agents was identified in patients who deteriorated further.