Cardiac tamponade after varicella infection

Shefler, Alison; Archer, Nicholas; Walia, R. L. S.

doi:10.1007/s004310050879

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…Staphylococcus aureus is the most common organism to cause purulent pericarditis, being isolated from three quarters of fatal cases. 40 This is also the case in association with varicella, having been reported in three cases to date, [41][42][43] although meningococcus type C, 41 and streptococcus 44 have also been found.…”

Section: Pericard Itismentioning

confidence: 81%

Cardiac complications in children following infection with varicella zoster virus

et al. 2001

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Infection with varicella zoster virus, leading to chicken pox in susceptible hosts, is usually a benign self-limiting disease conferring immunity in those affected. Cardiac complications are rare, but when present may lead to severe morbidity or mortality. We have recently encountered three children, all of whom developed significant cardiac complications secondary to infection with varicella. Myocarditis has long been associated with such infection. The pathological mechanism is presumed similar to other cardiotropic viruses, where both direct cytopathic and secondary auto-immune effects contribute to myocardial cellular destruction and ventricular dysfunction. Complications include arrhythmias and progression to dilated cardiomyopathy. Pericarditis, and secondary pericardial effusion, related to infection with the virus is most commonly associated with secondary bacterial infiltration. Both cardiac tamponade and chronic pericardial constriction may result. Endocarditis complicating varicella has only been described in the last fifteen years, and is associated with the emergence of virulent strains of both streptococcus and staphylococcus, the two organisms most commonly associated with endocarditis. The exact mechanism by which varicella causes secondary bacterial endocarditis remains unclear. Whilst cardiac complications of infection with the varicella zoster virus are rare, the resulting complications are potentially life threatening. Evidence of varicella-induced carditis must be aggressively pursued in any child with signs of acute cardiac decompensation in whom chicken pox is confirmed or suspected.

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Section: Pericard Itismentioning

confidence: 81%

Cardiac complications in children following infection with varicella zoster virus

et al. 2001

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“…Shefler et al 4 have described a case of cardiac tamponade that developed 2 weeks after the onset of varicella exanthema as a consequence of myopericarditis in a 4-month-old infant. Laskey et al 5 have reported a case of infective endocarditis by group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus in a 3-year-old child after primary VZV infection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Constrictive Pericarditis

Pal

Ray

Kundu

et al. 2011

Clin Pediatr (Phila)

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“…Two cases presented as cardiac tamponade and required emergent pericardiocentesis. 12,13 In most of these cases, final cultures from the pleural fluid remained negative, and authors proposed viral or immune etiology. Response to steroids in some of these cases also suggests an immune-mediated mechanism.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cardiac Tamponade and Pleural Effusion Complicating Varicella

Masood¹,

Kiel²,

Akingbola³

et al. 2008

Pediatric Emergency Care

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Varicella is a common infectious disease, usually benign and self-limited, and complications are believed to be rare. Most cases occur in healthy children younger than 14 years. Serious complications are uncommon, although high-risk groups have been identified, such as immunosuppressed patients, neonates, and adults. Cardiac tamponade after pericardial effusion occurring as a complication of varicella infection has been very infrequently reported. We describe an 8-month-old infant presenting with cardiac tamponade after varicella infection secondary to purulent bacterial pericardial effusion. He required a pericardial window formation. He also developed pleural empyema, another uncommon complication requiring thoracostomy drainage. This illustrative case, management, and unique features will be presented along with a review of all cases of varicella complicated by pericarditis in the English literature.

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Cardiac tamponade after varicella infection

Abstract: Varicella infection in children may be complicated by myopericardial disease ranging from subclinical ECG changes to fulminant cardiac failure and/or cardiac tamponade. The clinical spectrum of this unusual complication is reviewed and the importance of early recognition emphasised.

Cited by 9 publications

References 14 publications

Cardiac complications in children following infection with varicella zoster virus

Cardiac complications in children following infection with varicella zoster virus

Constrictive Pericarditis

Cardiac Tamponade and Pleural Effusion Complicating Varicella

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