Successful Heart Transplantation Following Neonatal Necrotic Enterovirus Myocarditis

Enterovirus myocarditis is a potentially devastating diagnosis in the neonatal setting, with an associated high mortality and risk for chronically impaired cardiac function. Transplantation may be a possible therapeutic option, but, due to the comparative scarcity of the presentation, the limited donor pool, and fears of viral persistence and recurrence of myocarditis (especially in the immunocompromised, post-transplant setting), there are no reported cases in the literature. This case report illustrates an encouraging one-year outcome following heart transplantation for necrotic enterovirus myocarditis in a neonate.     

Atrial Flutter Complicating Neonatal Coxsackie B2 Myocarditis

A neonate presented with atrial flutter complicating acute Coxsackie B2 myocarditis. The tachyarrhythmia was successfully terminated with electrocardioversion followed by digoxin administration. The infant survived with no long-term cardiac sequelae. Atrial flutter is an unusual complication of Coxsackie myocarditis that has not previously been reported.     

Myocarditis and pericarditis in children

Myocarditis and pericarditis are rare but important causes of pediatric chest pain. The diagnostic criteria, clinical course, causes, and treatment of myocarditis is reviewed. There is particular attention to the relationship of myocarditis with dilated cardiomyopathy. Supportive therapy remains the standard of care for pump dysfunction. The identification and treatment of pericarditis with associated large pericardial effusion can be lifesaving. This article reviews the important clinical features that might lead the clinician to diagnose either myocarditis or pericarditis and thus separate the few patients with either of these conditions from the legions of children with noncardiac chest pain.     

Ventricular Aneurysm Complicating Neonatal Coxsackie B4 Myocarditis

A premature neonate suffered from disseminated Coxsackie B4 infection. Myocarditis and a coexisting persistent ductus arteriosus became complicated with recurrent atrial tachycardia and severe heart failure. She survived with satisfactory cardiac function. Ventricular aneurysm was detected on follow-up echocardiography.     

Outcome of Intermittent Tachyarrhythmias in the Fetus

Persistent fetal tachycardias are known to have an adverse effect on fetal outcome. The outcomes of intermittent fetal tachyarrhythmias over a 12-year period at a tertiary fetal cardiology center were studied. Main outcome criteria included control of arrhythmia and death during the prenatal or postnatal period. A total of 28 fetuses had an intermittent tachyarrhythmia: 4 had intermittent atrial flutter and 24 had supraventricular tachycardia. At the time of presentation 14 fetuses were hydropic, and in 5 of the 14 an arrhythmia had not been noted prior to referral. Of the 28 fetuses, 23 were treated by drug administration to the mother. Control of arrhythmia was achieved in 10 of 11 (91%) nonhydropic fetuses and 8 of 12 (67%) hydropic fetuses, with resolution of hydrops in four cases. In the overall group there was one intrauterine death, two neonatal deaths, and one infant death, all of which occurred in the hydropic group. The arrhythmia recurred postnatally in 11 of 23 (48%) fetuses. We conclude that intermittent tachyarrhythmias may have a deleterious effect on the fetus with a significant risk of death pre- or postnatally. The fetus with nonimmune hydrops should be evaluated for a cardiac cause. Maternal antiarrhythmic therapy is indicated for intermittent fetal tachyarrhythmias. There is a high risk of recurrence of the arrhythmia during infancy, particularly if hydrops was documented during the prenatal period or if Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is diagnosed. Fetal echocardiography is a useful tool for diagnosis and for monitoring the progress of the fetus.     

小儿肠套叠与肠道病毒感染

采用逆转录聚合酶链式反应分别对原发性肠套叠患儿和健康小儿的粪便标本进行肠道病毒核糖核酸（ＲＮＡ）检测，结果４岁以上年龄组两者肠道病毒阳性率差异无显著性意义（Ｐ＞０．０５），４岁以下年龄组原发性肠套叠肠道病毒阳性率３７．０４％，显著高于健康小儿阳性率１１．１１％（Ｐ＜０．０１），提示肠道病毒感染可能是部分原发性肠套叠的病因之一。     

Predictors of Outcome of Myocarditis

Heart failure from myocarditis may be transient or may progress to unremitting severe cardiac failure. This study was performed to determine the outcomes and prognostic features of pediatric patients with myocarditis. Patients with the diagnosis of myocarditis between 1990 and 2001 were identified through the coding system of Yale–New Haven Hospital. A total of 28 patients were included, with ages ranging from 1 day to 20 years. Before discharge, 11 patients developed unremitting severe cardiac failure. Of the remaining 17 patients, at the time of discharge 10 had normal systolic function and 7 had decreased systolic function. Unremitting cardiac failure developed in 9 of 14 patients (64%) with an ejection fraction <30% and in only 2 of 14 (14%) of those with an ejection fraction 30% on admission (p < 0.01). Furthermore, shortening fraction <15%, left ventricular dilatation, and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation on admission as well as arrhythmia were significantly associated with development of unremitting severe cardiac failure. In this series of patients with myocarditis, by the time of discharge 39% of the patients had developed unremitting severe cardiac failure, 25% had depressed systolic function, and 36% had normal systolic function. Predictive factors at admission for poor outcome were ejection fraction <30%, shortening fraction <15%, left ventricular dilatation, and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation.Data from this study was presented as a poster at the 2002 annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric Research and Pediatric Academic Societies.     

Enterovirus infections in neonates

Enteroviruses, which include echoviruses, coxsackie A and B viruses, polioviruses and the ‘numbered’ enteroviruses, are among the most common viruses causing disease in humans. A large proportion of enteroviral infections occur in neonates and infants. There is a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations that can be caused by enterovirus infection with varying degrees of severity. In the neonatal age group, enteroviral infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly when infection occurs antenatally. This review provides a detailed overview of the epidemiology and clinical features of enterovirus infections in the neonatal period. In addition, laboratory features and diagnostic investigations are discussed. A review of the currently available data for prophylactic and therapeutic interventions, including antiviral therapy, is also presented.     

A Cluster of Fulminant Myocarditis Cases in Children,Baltimore, Maryland, 1997

The true incidence of myocarditis in children is difficult to estimate because many mild cases go undetected. This study describes an unusual cluster of myocarditis cases that occurred in young children living in the greater Baltimore area between May and October 1997. A search of multiple comprehensive databases and interviews with area pediatric cardiologists were conducted to identify unreported cases and determine the background rate of myocarditis in the area. Seven cases of myocarditis were found as well as two with a similar clinical picture and myocardial fibrosis on tissue examination. Six case patients with active myocarditis and one child with fibrosis died. The case children were predominantly black (eight of nine) and male (seven of nine), with no identifiable risk factors. The disease was characterized by a fulminant course with malignant arrhythmias. The greatest number of pediatric myocarditis deaths reported in 1 year prior to 1997 was three. Myocardial tissues were examined using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and polymerase chain reaction but no etiologic agent was identified. This outbreak is unusual because of both the number of cases and the fulminant course of the disease in this group of children.     

Muronomab-CD3 for Pediatric Acute Myocarditis

The treatment of pediatric acute myocarditis that is hemodynamically significant often includes immune modulation with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and steroids, and supportive measures. In this population, published outcomes include recovery of ventricular function from 6 months to years, transplantation, or death. We studied the effect of the immunosuppressive agent muronomab-CD3 (OKT3) on recovery of heart failure in the treatment of pediatric myocarditis. A retrospective chart review was performed identifying 15 pediatric patients diagnosed with acute myocarditis and depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or arrhythmias to which OKT3 was added to the immunosuppressive regimen. All patients were treated with supportive care, intravenous immunoglobulin, and steroids. LVEF by echocardiogram was plotted for each patient versus time. Outcomes included recovery of left ventricular function (as defined by an LVEF ≥ 45%), death, or listing for transplant. The diagnosis of acute myocarditis was made by a positive endomyocardial biopsy in 8 patients. Nine patients required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or LV assist device. After treatment with OKT3, 9 patients made a significant recovery of LVEF within 17 days, and 1 recovered by 60 days. Six of the patients requiring mechanical assistance recovered within this time period. There were 4 deaths––3 due to ECMO complications and 1 due to underlying gastrointestinal illness. One patient diagnosed with chronic myocarditis on biopsy underwent transplantation. No significant side effects attributable to OKT3 occurred. By decreasing the autoimmune inflammatory response, OKT3 may hasten recovery of ventricular function and be a useful adjunct therapy for hemodynamically significant acute pediatric myocarditis.     

Myocarditis in infants and children: A review for the paediatrician

Clinical myocarditis is uncommon in infants and children. The most common pathogen is Coxsackievirus B. The offending agent triggers an immune response, which results in myocardial edema with subsequent impairment of systolic and diastolic function. Newborns and infants are more severely affected because the immature myocardium has limited ways of adapting to an acute insult. Children typically present with sinus tachycardia and gallop on auscultation, cardiomegaly on chest x-ray and small voltages on electrocardiogram. The echocardiogram shows reduced ventricular function. Viral studies can isolate the pathogen. Myocardial biopsy is useful diagnostically, but carries a significant risk for the sick infant. The first line of treatment includes measures such as rest, oxygen and diuretics. Inotropic agents are useful in moderate to severe heart failure. The role of immunosuppressive therapy is not yet clearly established in the paediatric age group. Prognosis is guarded in newborns but more favourable in older children.     

Fatal Cephalosporin-Induced Acute Hypersensitivity Myocarditis

A frequently fatal, although rare, side effect of cephalosporin antibiotics is noninfectious myocarditis. We report two cases of hypersensitivity myocarditis secondary to administration of cephalosporin antibiotics. In both cases, acute hypersensitivity myocarditis was not suspected clinically, and the diagnosis was made postmortem. Histology revealed intense eosinophilic infiltration of the endomyocardium with eosinophil degranulation and myocyte damage, Clinically, death in both cases was due to cardiac failure. When suspected early, appropriate management may be lifesaving.     

Immunosuppressive Therapy of Chronic Myocarditis in Children: Three Cases and the Design of a Randomized Prospective Trial of Therapy

Three infants, each with a clinical picture of dilated cardiomyopathy, underwent endomyocardial biopsy. Immunohistologic analysis revealed chronic myocarditis. In one infant, a postviral etiology of chronic myocarditis could be assessed on the basis of molecular techniques. Therapy with azathioprine and prednisone resulted in the normalization of echocardiographic findings. Based on these observations, a randomized, multicenter treatment study of chronic myocarditis in children (TCMC) has been initiated.     

Eosinophilic Myocarditis Presenting with Pediatric Myocardial Infarction

Determination of the etiology of myocardial infarction (MI) in children can present a challenge to the practitioner since cases of pediatric MI are rare and the causes can be diverse. We report an unusual case of pediatric eosinophilic myocarditis that presented with MI.     

Cardiac Troponin T: A Marker in the Diagnosis of Acute Myocarditis in Children

This study was conducted to assess the use of serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) level as a noninvasive indicator to diagnose acute myocarditis in children. Noninvasive conventional methods often fail to diagnose myocarditis, A median cTnT level of 0.088 ng/ml (0.04–3.11) was reported in pediatric patients with acute myocarditis in our previous study. Hence, we attempted to determine the cutfoff level of cTnT to diagnose acute myocarditis in children. Pediatric patients with clinically suspected myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and a control group were recruited. History, physical examination, elctrocardiogram, chest roentgenogram, echocardiogram, cTnT level, and/or endomyocardial biopsy and clinical course were studied. The gold standard to diagnose acute myocarditis was endomyocardial biopsy proved according to the Dallas criteria and/or recovery from cardiovascular problems within 6 months of follow-up. Forty-three patients were admitted due to cardiovascular problems from primary myocardial dysfunction. Twenty-four patients were diagnosed as acute myocarditis (group 1), 19 were idiopathic chronic DCM (group 2), and 21 patients had moderate to large ventricular septal defect and congestive heart failure (group 3). Median cTnT level was statistically higher in (group 1) compared to groups 2 and 3. Ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDd) z score of acute myocarditis were 38.5% (range, 21–67) and 1.3 (range, –0.8–3.0), respectively, which were significantly better than DCM [28.0% (range, 17–45) and 6.0 (range, 2.0–10.0)]. The cutoff point of cTnT level to diagnose acute myocarditis was 0.052 ng/ml (sensitivity, 71%; specificity, 86%). cTnT level, EF, and LVEDd z score did not predict short-term outcomes of patients. In acute myocarditis, cTnT level and EF were significantly higher and LVEDd z score was significantly lower than in DCM. However, the three parameters had no significant effect on outcomes of the patients. Our data show that cardiac a cTnT level of 0.052 ng/ml is an appropriate cutoff point for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis.     

Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia Following Complete Heart Block Associated with Viral Myocarditis

We describe the case of an infant progressing from sinus rhythm to complete heart block, junctional ectopic tachycardia, and back to sinus rhythm as the only manifestation of viral myocarditis.     

The Clinical Course of Acquired Complete Heart Block in Children with Acute Myocarditis

A case of biopsy-proven myocarditis in a 7-year-old complicated by advanced atrioventricular (AV) block prompted a review of the medical literature to determine the prognosis for recovery of AV conduction or need for pacemaker implantation. A total of 40 patients younger than 20 years of age were identified, with return of AV conduction within 7 days in 27 patients (67%), permanent pacing in 11 patients (28%) with persistent AV block, and death in 2 patients (5%).     

小儿病毒性心肌炎与柯萨奇B组病毒抗体的关系探讨

目的探讨柯萨奇 Ｂ组病毒抗体ＩｇＭ测定在心肌炎病原学诊断和临床诊断中的意义。方法１９９６～１９９８年儿科住院病人７０例,分为心肌炎组２０例,疑似心肌炎组２５例,对照组２５例。用间接酶联免疫吸附法（ＥＬＩＳＡ）测定柯萨奇Ｂ组病毒抗体ＩｇＭ和ＩｇＧ。结果柯萨奇Ｂ组病毒抗体ＩｇＭ阳性心肌炎组１１例（５５％）,疑似心肌炎组１１例（４４％）,对照组１１例（４４％）,经统计学处理,其差别无显著性意义。结论用ＥＬＩＳＡ法测定柯萨奇Ｂ组病毒抗体ＩｇＭ,阳性提示有柯萨奇Ｂ组病毒感染,对心肌炎患儿可以作出病因和病原学诊断,但不能以此作为临床诊断心肌炎的依据。     

小儿病毒性心肌炎与柯萨奇B组病毒抗体的关系探讨

目的 探讨柯萨奇B组病毒抗体IgM测定在心肌炎病原学诊断和临床诊断中的意义。方法 1996～1998年儿科住院病人70例,分为心肌炎组20例,疑似心肌炎组25例,对照组25例。用间接酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定柯萨奇B组病毒抗体IgM和IgG。 结果柯萨奇B组病毒抗体IgM阳性心肌炎组11例(55%),疑似心肌炎组11例(44%),对照组11例(44%),经统计学处理,其差别无显著性意义。结论 用ELISA法测定柯萨奇B组病毒抗体IgM,阳性提示有柯萨奇B组病毒感染,对心肌炎患儿可以作出病因和病原学诊断,但不能以此作为临床诊断心肌炎的依据。