AI enables personalized treatment of heart muscle inflammation

A research team from the University of Bern and Inselspital, University Hospital Bern is investigating and developing innovative approaches that will enable personalized diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis. Artificial intelligence will allow individual risk assessment and progression prognosis in the future. The project has received funding from the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (CAIM) of the University of Bern and Insel Group. Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) is usually caused by viruses, including the COVID-19 virus. However, it can also be caused by medication, toxic substances or in the context of a rheumatological disease. Clinical assessment is difficult because symptoms vary widely, from fatigue to chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and, rarely, sudden cardiac death, the latter associated with exercise. Today, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is usually performed when myocarditis is suspected.