Sudden death in a young adult: Sequelae of childhood Kawasaki disease

Abstract

A case of sudden cardiac death in a young adult secondary to sequelae of childhood Kawasaki disease is presented. At autopsy, proximal coronary artery aneurysms typical of Kawasaki disease with recent and remote myocardial infarction was found. Although the acute diagnosis and management of Kawasaki disease has received attention in recent literature, little has been written about the implications of the disease in long-term survivors. Serious morbidity and mortality many years after the acute phase of the disease can occur. Because of the relatively recent recognition of the disease, an undetermined population of patients with previously unrecognized Kawasaki disease exists. Young patients with previous Kawasaki disease may have severe stenotic coronary disease that may be asymptomatic and present with sudden cardiovascular symptoms or death. Acute care physicians should be cognizant of these issues and should seek specific information regarding childhood illnesses when evaluating the young patient with acute cardiovascular symptoms.