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Complete heart block complicating the acute phase of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis

Ageliki A Karatza1, Maria Kiaffas2, Spyros Rammos2

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|May 10, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause serious infant complications. This case highlights RSV bronchiolitis leading to irreversible complete heart block, emphasizing the need for cardiovascular monitoring in infants with severe RSV infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of infant lower respiratory tract infections.
  • Extrapulmonary complications and long-term sequelae of RSV infections, particularly cardiovascular effects, are increasingly recognized.

Observation:

  • A 10-month-old infant presented with severe respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis.
  • The acute illness was complicated by the development of complete heart block.

Findings:

  • The complete heart block in this infant with RSV bronchiolitis was irreversible.
  • Conservative management was initiated for the cardiac complication.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for severe cardiovascular complications following common infant viral infections like RSV.
  • Highlights the importance of considering and monitoring for cardiac involvement in infants with severe RSV bronchiolitis.
  • Suggests a need for further research into the mechanisms and long-term outcomes of RSV-associated cardiac sequelae.

Keywords:
complete heart blockrespiratory syncytial virusviral myocarditis

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