Cardiac involvement in diphtheria: Study from a tertiary referral infectious disease hospital

Abstract

Background: Diphtheria is still a fatal disease even in the era of universal immunization. Diphtheria myocarditis, one of the serious complications of respiratory diphtheria may cause death if not recognized and treated properly. Aims and Objectives: To determine the outcomes of cardiac involvement in respiratory diphtheria. Materials and Methods: One hundred (n = 100) patients with respiratory tract diphtheria were evaluated in respect to cardiac involvement. All patients were closely monitored for a minimum period of 4-6 weeks from the onset of respiratory symptoms. Continuous ECG monitoring including blood biochemistry (SGOT, CPK-MB, and Troponin-T) were done in each case. Results : The most common symptoms were throat pain seen in 94 cases, palpitation in 56 cases, bull neck in 40 cases, shortness of breath in 12 cases, fever in 9 cases, and nasal regurgitation in 8 cases. Most common complication observed was myocarditis seen in 70 patients and majority of patients (60) were asymptomatic. The ECG changes were T wave inversion in 54 patients, inappropriate sinus tachycardia in 38 patients, ST segment depression in precordial leads in 8 patients, Mobitz type II block in 6 patients, Mobitz type I block in 4 patients, RBBB in 4 patients, multiple atrial ectopics in 4 patients, and sinus bradycardia in 2 patients. A total number of five patients died. Conclusions: Myocarditis was commonest and serious complication of respiratory diphtheria. Increase in vaccination coverage and improvement of socioeconomic status are all effective preventive measures to reduce the incidence of diphtheria.