Erythrocytosis and severe asphyxia: two different causes of neonatal myocardial infarction
Elio Caruso1, Alfredo Di Pino1, Daniela Poli1
1Centro Cardiologico Pediatrico del Mediterraneo, San Vincenzo Hospital, Taormina (ME), Italy.
Abstract:
Neonatal acute myocardial infarction is a rare event that carries a high mortality rate. We describe the cases of two newborns who survived acute myocardial infarction and discuss the management. The first neonate was born with severe asphyxia and left ventricular myocardial infarction with ventricular tachycardia. In this patient, systemic flow was maintained by right-to-left shunting through the patent ductus arteriosus. The second neonate presented with a haematocrit of 80% and an inferolateral myocardial infarction. Intensive treatment of low cardiac output syndrome led to survival of both high-risk neonates. In the follow-up, at 48 and 4 months, respectively, ventricular function recovered in both patients.
Related Concept Videos
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Myocarditis I: Introduction
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Hypoxia
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...


