Autoimmune disease of the cardiac muscle includes myocarditis, myocardiopathy and Dressler’s syndrome. Cardiac muscle antibodies has a high specificity (80%) and sensitivity (90%) for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

These antibodies can target adenosine nucleotide translocator protein, cardiac myosin and tropomyosin.

Image: Autoantibodies to primate cardiac muscle. Staining of myosin fibres. Caution must be exercised due to cross-reactivity of skeletal muscle antibodies.