Cardiac abnormalities seen in pediatric patients during the SARS-COV2 pandemic: An international experience

Bradley C. Clark, Joan Sanchez-De-toledo, Carles Bautista-Rodriguez, Nadine Choueiter, Diego Lara, Hechaan Kang, Shazia Mohsin, Alain Fraisse, Sergi Cesar, Abdul Sattar Shaikh, Maria C. Escobar-Diaz, Daphne T. Hsu, Paula C. Randanne, Nadeem Aslam, Jake Kleinmahon, Jacqueline M. Lamour, Jonathan N. Johnson, Georgia Sarquella-Brugada, Devyani Chowdhury

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background During the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, there has been increase in hyperinflammatory presentation in previously healthy children with a variety of cardiac manifestations. Our objective is to describe the cardiac manifestations found in an international cohort of 55 pediatric cases with multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic. Methods and Results We reviewed data on previously healthy pediatric patients (=18 years) with structurally normal hearts who presented at hospitals in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain and Pakistan with MIS-C and had consultation with a pediatric cardiologist. Data collected included demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory values, electrocardiographic abnormalities, echocardiographic findings and initial therapies. A total of 55 patients presented with MIS-C. Thirty-five patients (64%) had evidence of decreased left ventricular function, 17 (31%) had valvulitis, 12 (22%) with pericardial effusion and 11 (20%) with coronary abnormalities. Twenty-seven (49%) required ICU admission and 24 (44%) had evidence of shock. Eleven patients (20%) fulfilled complete Kawasaki disease criteria and had lower NT pro-BNP, D-dimer and ferritin levels compared with those who did not fulfill criteria. Electrophysiologic abnormalities occurred in 6 patients and included complete atrioventricular (AV) block, transient AV block and ventricular tachycardia. Conclusions We describe the first international cohort of pediatric patients with MIS-C during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic with a range of cardiac manifestations. This paper brings awareness and alertness to the global medical community to recognize these children during the pandemic and understand the need for early cardiology evaluation and follow-up.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere018007
JournalJournal of the American Heart Association
Volume9
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 3 2020

Keywords

  • Cardiac dysfunction
  • Coronary abnormalities
  • Multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C)
  • Pediatric
  • SARS-CoV2

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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