Successful treatment of severe dysrhythmias in infants with respiratory syncytial virus infections: two cases and a literature review.
OBJECTIVE
To describe severe myocardial manifestations in two infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection and to review published literature reporting cardiac involvement in patients with respiratory syncytial virus disease.


METHODS
Case report and literature review.


METHODS
Tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit (ICU).


METHODS
Two infants admitted to the pediatric ICU for dysrhythmias and severe myocardial dysfunction and infected with respiratory syncytial virus.


METHODS
Conventional cardiovascular, antidysrhythmic, and respiratory support, as well as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.


RESULTS
Both patients had respiratory syncytial virus infections and clinical evidence of severe myocarditis, with dysrhythmias, cardiomegaly, and cardiogenic shock. Both infants survived their hospitalizations. To our knowledge, these two patients are the first reported cases of myocarditis in infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe myocardial dysfunction and dysrhythmias may accompany respiratory syncytial virus infection in some infants and may be reversible with aggressive supportive therapy.
Thomas
J A
JA
Department of Padiatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-8063, USA.
Raroque
S
S
Scott
W A
WA
Toro-Figueroa
L O
LO
Levin
D L
DL
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D003422:Critical Care; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D005260:Female; D006612:High-Frequency Ventilation; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D008297:Male; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000209:etiology*; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents