Delayed dilated cardiomyopathy for major burn injuries.
OBJECTIVE
The early impact on the heart of severe burns has all been well documented previously. Here, we report on the late effects of burns upon the heart, and dilated cardiomyopathy, such aspects having been little reported previously in the literature.


METHODS
Over the past 8 years (June 1991 to December 1998), 55 scalded or flame-burnt patients for whom the total burnt body surface area (TBSA) exceeded 50% were treated. Seventeen patients survived and were followed up. The mean age was 44 years. The mean follow-up period was 47.3 months; four patients displayed a previous history of heart disease. We used several parameters to evaluate and follow cardiac status to see the late effect of burns upon the heart.


RESULTS
Of 17 patients, 3 patients (17.7%) were found to exhibit dilated cardiomyopathies after a mean time of 6 months post-injury. A dramatic recovery from symptoms and roentgenographic findings were observed for all patients following symptomatic treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Here we report three cases of delayed dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that has been little reported in the past. There may be many causating factors. Several recommendations are described.
Chen
Tzyy-Jiin
TJ
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Min-Sheng General Hospital, National Yang-ming University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC.
Shen
Bing-Hwei
BH
Yeh
Fa-Lai
FL
Lin
Jin-Teh
JT
Ma
Hsu
H
Huang
Chih-Hung
CH
Fang
Rong-Hwang
RH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001835:Body Weight; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome