Giant Cell Myocarditis

Giant cell myocarditis (also known as Idiopathic Giant Cell Myocarditis) is characterized by cytotoxic T-cell mediated destruction of cardiac myocytes. The disease often pursues a fulminant course and can cause death within months of diagnosis unless the patient receives heart transplantation. This section from an autopsy specimen shows extensive destruction of myocytes and an inflammatory infiltrate rich in multinucleated giant cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and histiocytes.