Bachmann Lisa¹, Hauser Tom², Küster Lara³, Frey Nils⁴, Albrecht Nele⁵, Menzel Erik⁶, Otto Mila⁷, Schwarz Henry⁸
ABSTRACT:
Myocarditis and pericarditis represent challenging diagnostic entities where immunoinflammatory biomarkers play an increasingly crucial role. This review systematically evaluates current and emerging biomarkers including cardiac-specific autoantibodies (anti-myosin, anti-troponin), cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), and novel proteomic signatures. We analyze their diagnostic performance against gold-standard endomyocardial biopsy and cardiac MRI, and their prognostic value in predicting arrhythmic risk, ventricular dysfunction, and treatment response. Special emphasis is placed on biomarker-guided algorithms for distinguishing viral from autoimmune etiologies and guiding immunosuppressive therapy. Current limitations in specificity and standardization are critically discussed, along with future directions in multiplex biomarker panels and molecular imaging.