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.