DRG Category: 2

Mean LOS: 21.2 days

Description SURGICAL: Heart Transplant or Implant of Heart Assist System without Major CC

DRG Category: 315

Mean LOS: 4.5 days

Description MEDICAL: Other Circulatory System Diagnoses with CC

classification section:



Myocarditis describes the infiltration of myocardial cells by various forms of bacteria or viruses that damage the myocardium by inciting an inflammatory response and myocyte necrosis. The actual incidence of myocarditis is unknown; many people are asymptomatic or have symptoms that may not be attributed to myocarditis. For this reason, a significant number of otherwise unexplained sudden deaths in young people and following childbirth may actually be due to the condition. Some experts suggest that from 1% to 2% of sudden and unexpected deaths can be attributed to myocarditis.

Myocarditis results in white blood cell (WBC) infiltration and necrosis of myocytes (heart muscle cells). Although myocarditis commonly is self-limiting, mild, and asymptomatic, it sometimes induces myofibril degeneration, which leads to right- and left-sided heart failure. When myocarditis recurs, it can produce chronic valvulitis (usually when it results from rheumatic fever), dysrhythmias, thromboembolism, cardiomyopathy, or heart failure, which are the primary complications of the condition.