Pediatric AML patients with acute-onset cardiomyopathy in the setting of Streptococcus viridans bacteremia after anthracyclines.

Abstract

We reviewed three very similar cases of acute-onset heart failure in children with acute myeloid leukemia who received anthracyclines during their treatment. All three children were diagnosed with recent Streptococcus viridans bacteremia and had persistent tachycardia prior to acute-onset heart failure with near-complete resolution within weeks. We hypothesize their heart failure was secondary to sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy with anthracycline-induced cardiac myocyte damage as a predisposing factor. We suggest prophylaxis and methods of early detection to prevent and better treat acute heart failure in pediatric oncology patients receiving anthracyclines.