Infant Kawasaki disease complicated with supraventricular tachycardia: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Abstract Background The occurrence of arrhythmias as a complication of Kawasaki disease (KD) is extremely rare. Moreover, previous literature showed a low incidence of arrhythmias during the acute phase of KD, and the majority occurred in the subacute and chronic phases. To date, we have found only 17 sporadically reported global cases in the available literature. Case presentation We present the first documented case of an infant with KD complicated with supraventricular tachycardia (Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia) during the acute phase. The arrhythmia resolved promptly after the combination therapy of intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) and steroids during the acute phase since the inflammation subsided. Additionally, we conducted a review and summary of cases involving KD-related arrhythmias. Conclusions KD rarely causes arrhythmias, which might be associated with myocarditis and myocardial ischemia attributed to scar formation and/or excessive inflammatory factors damaging the conduction system. Strengthening the early identification and management of complications in patients with KD and personalized follow-up strategies for high-risk children during the chronic phase can enhance patients’ prognosis.

Keywords

• Kawasaki disease
• Arrhythmia
• Supraventricular tachycardia
• Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia