To analyze findings and trends on serial electrocardiograms (ECGs) in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with coronavirus disease taken during the course of illness and ...at follow-up.
We included all children presenting with MIS-C at a single center with 3 or more ECGs taken during the course of their illness. We measured ECG intervals (PR, QRSd, and QTc) and amplitudes (R-, S-, and T-waves) on each ECG and documented any arrhythmias and ST-segment changes.
A majority of children (n = 42, 67%) showed ECG changes. The most common findings were low QRS amplitudes and transient T-wave inversion. ST changes were uncommon and included ST-segment elevation consistent with pericarditis in 1 child and acute coronary ischemia in 1 child. Arrhythmias were seen in 13 children (21%) but were benign with the exception of 1 child who was compromised by an atrial tachycardia requiring support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. No children were found to have high-grade atrioventricular block.
MIS-C is associated with electrocardiographic changes over the course of the illness, with low amplitude ECGs on presentation, followed by transient T-wave inversion, particularly in the precordial leads. There was a low prevalence of ST-segment changes and tachyarrhythmias.
To analyze findings and trends on serial electrocardiograms (ECGs) in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with coronavirus disease taken during the course of illness and ...at follow-up.
We included all children presenting with MIS-C at a single center with 3 or more ECGs taken during the course of their illness. We measured ECG intervals (PR, QRSd, and QTc) and amplitudes (R-, S-, and T-waves) on each ECG and documented any arrhythmias and ST-segment changes.
A majority of children (n = 42, 67%) showed ECG changes. The most common findings were low QRS amplitudes and transient T-wave inversion. ST changes were uncommon and included ST-segment elevation consistent with pericarditis in 1 child and acute coronary ischemia in 1 child. Arrhythmias were seen in 13 children (21%) but were benign with the exception of 1 child who was compromised by an atrial tachycardia requiring support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. No children were found to have high-grade atrioventricular block.
MIS-C is associated with electrocardiographic changes over the course of the illness, with low amplitude ECGs on presentation, followed by transient T-wave inversion, particularly in the precordial leads. There was a low prevalence of ST-segment changes and tachyarrhythmias.
Abstract
Aims
Following the peak of the UK COVID-19 epidemic, a new multisystem inflammatory condition with significant cardiovascular effects emerged in young people. We utilized multimodality ...imaging to provide a detailed sequential description of the cardiac involvement.
Methods and Results
Twenty consecutive patients (mean age 10.6 ± 3.8 years) presenting to our institution underwent serial echocardiographic evaluation on admission (median day 5 of illness), the day coinciding with worst cardiac function (median day 7), and the day of discharge (median day 15). We performed cardiac computed tomography (CT) to assess coronary anatomy (median day 15) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) to assess dysfunction (median day 20). On admission, almost all patients displayed abnormal strain and tissue Doppler indices. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiographic ejection fraction (EF) was <55% in half of the patients. Valvular regurgitation (75%) and small pericardial effusions (10%) were detected. Serial echocardiography demonstrated that the mean 3D EF deteriorated (54.7 ± 8.3% vs. 46.4 ± 8.6%, P = 0.017) before improving at discharge (P = 0.008). Left main coronary artery (LMCA) dimensions were significantly larger at discharge than at admission (Z score –0.11 ± 0.87 vs. 0.78 ± 1.23, P = 0.007). CT showed uniform coronary artery dilatation commonly affecting the LMCA (9/12). CMR detected abnormal strain in all patients with global dysfunction (EF <55%) in 35%, myocardial oedema in 50%, and subendocardial infarct in 5% (1/20) patients.
Conclusions
Pancarditis with cardiac dysfunction is common and associated with myocardial oedema. Patients require close monitoring due to coronary artery dilatation and the risk of thrombotic myocardial infarction.
Multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) causes widespread inflammation including a pancarditis in the weeks following a COVID infection. As we prepare for further coronavirus surges, ...understanding the medium-term cardiac impacts of this condition is important for allocating healthcare resources. A retrospective single-center study of 67 consecutive patients with MIS-C was performed evaluating echocardiographic and electrocardiographic (ECG) findings to determine the point of worst cardiac dysfunction during the admission, then at intervals of 6–8 weeks and 6–8 months. Worst cardiac function occurred 6.8 ± 2.4 days after the onset of fever with mean 3D left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction (EF) 50.5 ± 9.8%. A pancarditis was typically present: 46.3% had cardiac impairment; 31.3% had pericardial effusion; 26.8% demonstrated moderate (or worse) valvar regurgitation; and 26.8% had coronary dilatation. Cardiac function normalized in all patients by 6–8 weeks (mean 3D LV EF 61.3 ± 4.4%,
p
< 0.001 compared to presentation). Coronary dilatation resolved in all but one patient who initially developed large aneurysms at presentation, which persisted 6 months later. ECG changes predominantly featured T-wave changes resolving at follow-up. Adverse events included need for ECMO (n = 2), death as an ECMO-related complication (n = 1), LV thrombus formation (n = 1), and subendocardial infarction (n = 1). MIS-C causes a pancarditis. In the majority, discharge from long-term follow-up can be considered as full cardiac recovery is expected by 8 weeks. The exception includes patients with medium sized aneurysms or greater as these may persist and require on-going surveillance.
Subaortic stenosis (SAS) can present as various types of obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) below the level of the aortic valve. Even though corrective surgery has been ...identified as the most effective treatment, SAS more frequently reoccurs requiring reoperation in a significant proportion of the patients. Previous studies have focused on predictors of recurrence in various subgroups of patients with SAS, but rarely in the overall population of patients with SAS. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of recurrence of SAS after initial corrective surgery.
Patients from the database of the Congenital Cardiology Department of the University Hospital of Southampton with significant SAS requiring corrective surgery were included in the study. Data retrieved were obtained and used to determine the predictors of SAS recurrence after the initial corrective surgery.
Eighty-two patients (paediatric, n = 72 and adult, n = 10) who underwent initial successful resection were included in the analysis. Thirty patients required reoperation for recurrent SAS. These were significantly younger (median age 3.0 vs 6.7 years, P = 0.002). The recurrence of SAS was more common in patients with an interrupted aortic arch (23.3% vs 3.8%, P = 0.010) and unfavourable left ventricle geometry (43.3% vs 7.6%, P < 0.001), with steeper aortoseptal angle (131.0° ± 8.7° vs 136.1° ± 8.6°, P = 0.030), shorter distance between the point of obstruction of the LVOT and the aortic valve annulus in systole and diastole (median 4.30 vs 5.90 mm, P = 0.003 and 3.65 vs 4.95 mm, P = 0.006, respectively) and in those who had higher residual peak and mean LVOT gradients postoperatively (29.3 ± 16.0 vs 19.8 ± 10.7 mmHg, P = 0.006 and 15.9 ± 8.3 vs 10.1 ± 5.8 mmHg, P = 0.002, respectively). Overall, the presence of an interrupted aortic arch odds ratio (OR) 10.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-73.25; P < 0.019 and unfavourable left ventricle geometry (OR 10.42, 95% CI 1.86-58.39; P < 0.008) could independently predict reoperation for SAS after initial successful resection.
Patients who have initial corrective surgery for SAS at a younger age, unfavourable left ventricle geometry, an interrupted aortic arch and higher early postoperative LVOT gradients are more likely to have recurrent SAS requiring reoperation.
Objective. Small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates born prematurely may be at higher risk for adverse effects during the early postnatal period than premature neonates born appropriate for ...gestational age (AGA).This study aims to study comparatively morbidity and mortality in SGA and AGA neonates born with low gestational age (GA).
Methods. The study population included all preterm infants born alive with GA 24-31 weeks in Northwestern Greece during a 9-year period and hospitalized in the regional neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The association of SGA status with neonatal death, and with chronic lung disease (CLD), intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and sepsis was assessed, using multiple logistic regression analysis.
Results. Of 210 infants without congenital anomalies born at GA 24-31 weeks, 51 were SGA and 159 were AGA. CLD was more common in SGA than in AGA neonates (57.1% vs 29.3%, p < 0.05), but no differences were found in the rates of IVH, NEC, ROP, RDS, and sepsis. The mortality rate in the SGA group was 33.3% vs 17% in the AGA group (p < 0.01), and in the subgroups 28-31 weeks 24.1% vs 6.3%, respectively, (p < 0.01). In logistic regression analysis, SGA status was strongly associated with increased mortality and CLD, independent of confounding factors odd ratios and confidence intervals: 3.4 (CI: 1.8-10.6) p = 0.03 and 3.9 (CI: 1.7-11.5) p < 0.01, respectively.
Conclusions. SGA neonates with GA 24-31 weeks were at increased risk of development of CLD and of neonatal death compared with AGA neonates of the same GA.
PDF
