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[Varicella myocarditis and junctional ectopic tachycardia]
F Senellart1, A Bozio, F Sassolas
1Service de cardiologie de l'enfant, hôpital cardiovasculaire et pneumologique, BP Lyon-Montchat, France.
Pediatrie
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Varicella (chickenpox) can lead to lethal junctional ectopic tachycardia, a serious heart rhythm disorder. This case highlights the rare but critical link between viral infections and cardiac complications in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Varicella (chickenpox) is a common viral infection in children.
- Myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle, can be a rare complication of viral infections.
- Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is a type of rapid heart rhythm originating from the heart's AV junction.
Observation:
- An 11-month-old boy presented with varicella.
- He developed a lethal arrhythmia, identified as junctional ectopic tachycardia.
- Autopsy confirmed the cause as zosterian myocarditis.
Findings:
- This case details an exceptional association between varicella, myocarditis, and junctional ectopic tachycardia.
- The junctional ectopic tachycardia presented as a regular tachycardia with normal QRS morphology, heart rates of 200-250 bpm.
- Atrioventricular dissociation or retrograde conduction to the atria was noted.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for severe cardiac complications, including fatal arrhythmias, in children with varicella.
- It emphasizes the importance of considering myocarditis in children with viral exanthems who develop cardiac symptoms.
- Further discussion on the diagnosis and management of this uncommon but serious arrhythmia is warranted.