Severe left ventricular dysfunction and arrhythmias as complications of gram-positive sepsis: rapid recovery in children.
Severe left ventricular dilatation and dysfunction in children may be associated with poor outcome in as many as 45% of cases. The prognosis for children with poor left ventricular function or arrhythmias associated with septic shock may be better, however, this has been inadequately studied. We report the favorable outcome of three children who presented with Gram-positive sepsis and significant cardiovascular compromise-two with severely dilated, poorly contractile left ventricle, and one with mild left ventricular dysfunction and incessant, malignant, and rapid atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Our experience with these patients shows that complete and rapid resolution of these complications may be achieved with aggressive therapy.
Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, 1465 South Grand Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA.
B
B
Ferdman
S B
SB
Jureidini
G
G
Gale
R
R
Mink
D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents