Healthy Tadulako Journal (Jurnal Kesehatan Tadulako)
Vol. 12 No. 3 (2026)

Eosinophilic Myocarditis: A Rare Histopathological Finding and Diagnostic Challenge in Sudden Cardiac Death

Aries Maulana (School of Medicine Universitas Internasional Batam, Indonesia)
Jasa Nita Listiana (School of Medicine Universitas Internasional Batam, Indonesia)
Denny Mathius (Department of Forensic and Medicolegal, Faculty of Medicine Hasanuddin University, Indonesia)
Muh Husni Cangara (Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Hasanuddin University, Indonesia)
Natalia Widjaya (School of Medicine Universitas President, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Jul 2026

Abstract

Background: Eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) is a rare inflammatory myocardial disorder that may cause arrhythmia, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or sudden cardiac death. Objectives: To describe the forensic and histopathological findings of a fatal case of EM and emphasize appropriate interpretation of pathological diagnosis, mechanism of death, and underlying etiology. Methods: A forensic autopsy and histopathological examination were performed in a 48-year-old man who died suddenly without documented preceding cardiac symptoms. Results: Autopsy revealed cardiomegaly, myocardial discoloration and necrosis, intracavitary mural thrombi, and no significant macroscopic coronary stenosis. Histopathology demonstrated myocyte degeneration and necrosis with dense eosinophil-rich inflammatory infiltration accompanied by lymphocytes, neutrophils, histiocytes, and hemorrhagic foci. These findings strongly supported EM as the principal pathological diagnosis. However, the etiology remained undetermined because complete toxicological, hematological, parasitological, autoimmune, and immunohistochemical investigations were not documented. A fatal arrhythmia was considered a plausible mechanism of sudden death but was not directly demonstrated. Conclusions: This case highlights the importance of integrating autopsy and histopathological findings while distinguishing pathological diagnosis, probable mechanism of death, and etiological classification in sudden death associated with EM.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

htj

Publisher

Subject

Dentistry Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health

Description

Healthy Tadulako Journal (Jurnal Kesehatan Tadulako) merupakan media komunikasi dan publikasi ilmiah di bidang ilmu kesehatan yang diterbitkan oleh Unit Penjaminan Mutu Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Tadulako yang. Jurnal ini terbit secara berkala 4 kali dalam setahun (Januari, April, Juli dan ...