Cardiovascular Spectrum and Cardiac Biomarkers in Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome with Kawasaki-Like Disease - Our Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the West Part of Romania

Abstract

Abstract Aim In COVID-19 Pandemic, a new hyperinflammatory syndrome was reported with clinical features of Kawasaki disease, named PIMS-TS. We want to present a single center experience where the patients were diagnosed with Kawasaki-like in PIMS-TS with cardiac affliction. Material and method The study was observational and retrospective, enrolled 14 patients fulfilling the criteria of PIMS-TS with the median age of 9 (IQR, 1.6–11), 9 male (64.2 %) and 5 female (35.8 %). Results ECG revealed tachycardia and ST-T changes in 60% of patients. In evolution, ECG modified in 20% and consisted of long QT in 7% of cases, bradycardia in 7%, 3% transitory sick sinus syndrome and 3% grade I/II degree atrio-ventricular block. Cardiac disfunction was evidenced in 4 patients (28%), with reduced ejection fraction under 50%, mitral insufficiency in 6 (42.8%), pericardial fluid in 8 (57.1%) and perivascular brightness in 8 (57.1%). The cardiac biomarkers: NT-proBNP (increased in 9), cTroponin T (increased in 7) and cTroponin I (increased in 5) confirmed heart dysfunction. During the hospitalization and under medical treatment, all the modifications recover. Evolution was good for 12 children. Conclusions Cardiac dysfunction and myocardial injury were confirmed by elevated cardiac biomarkers. Rapid recognition allows prompt treatment for a good outcome. NT-proBNP, cTroponin T and I are of capital significance in monitoring the myocardial injury, the treatment and evolution of these patients.