Since the last meeting "Myocardial Biopsy - Diagnostic Signifi cance" was held under the auspices of the International Society and Federation of Cardiology (ISFC) in Munich, many new data and new aspects have been developed in the field of myocardial dis eases. Most importantly, the classification of cardiomyopathies and specific heart muscle diseases, as described in the report of the WHO-ISFC task force (see reference 1 in the Introduction), is now widely accepted as a basis for clinical practice and scientific work. Investigators from all over the world have again assembled un der the auspices of the ISFC at an international workshop on viral heart disease and its implications with regard to congestive cardio myopathy, which was held in Munich January 1983. This book con tains the significant results of the workshop. For practical use, the authors have incorporated important points made in the discussions into their contributions and a subject index has been provided. First of all I should like to thank Professor Riecker, Director of the Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Grol3hadern, University of Mu nich, West Germany. Without his friendly support in many aspects, this meeting would not have been possible. I should like to thank Professor Goodwin and Dr. Olsen from the ISFC for their active participation and advice in organizing the meeting. Last but not least, I am particularely grateful to all the contributors, whose co operation has made this book possible.

I: Histopathology and Virology

Histomorphological Relations Between Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Histopathological Aspects of Myocarditis with Special Reference to Mumps, Cytomegalovirus Infection and the Role of Endomyocardial Biopsy
Relations Between Viral Infection of the Myocardium and the Synthesis of Collagen Types I and III
Electron Microscopic Demonstration of Viruses in the Myocardium, with Particular Reference to Reovirus
Animal Models of Congestive Heart Failure and Congestive (Dilated) Cardiomyopathy Due to Viral Myocarditis in Mice
Effect of Interferon on the Replication of Coxsackie B3 Virus in Cultured Human Fetal Heart Cells
The Role of Virus-, and Immune-Mediated Cardiocyte Injury in Coxsackievirus B3-Induced Myocarditis
Characterization of the Inflammatory Infiltrate in Human Myocarditis - An Endomyocardial Biopsy Study
The Role of Eosinophils in Myocarditis
II: Clinical Virology and Cellular Immunology
Coxsackie B Virus-Specific IgM Responses in Patients with Cardiac and Other Diseases
Viral Heart Disease - A Precursor of Congestive Cardiomyopathy
Virus Investigations in Heart Muscle Disease
Experience with Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Detection of Antibodies of the IgM Class Against Coxsackie B Viruses
Cardiocytolysis by Sera of Patients Suffering from Acute Perimyocarditis
Autoantibodies Against the Adenine Nucleotide Translocator in Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Consequence of Defective Suppressor Cell Function?
The Role of Human Leukocyte Antigen Genes and Low Suppressor Cell Activity in the Pathogenesis of Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy
III: Haemodynamics and Therapeutic Aspects
Haemodynamic Findings in Biopsy Proven Acute Myocarditis.-Endomyocardial Biopsy: Technique and Evaluation of a New Disposable Forceps and Catheter Sheath System
Viral Myocarditis: Symptomatology, Clinical Diagnostics and Haemodynamics
Potential Value of Colour-Coded Two-Dimensional Echocardiograms in the Study of Inflammatory Left Ventricular Disease
Assessment of Left Ventricular Reserve Using Radionuclide Ventriculography in Patients with Prior Myocarditis
Endomyocardial Biopsy Diagnosis of Myocarditis and Changes Following Immunsuppressive Treatment
Do Tetrapeptides Play a Role in Viral Heart Disease?
Relations Between Virus Infections and Coronary Artery Disease
Therapeutic Aspects in Myocardial Diseases
Summary of Workshop.