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Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Ultrasonic Assessment of Myocardial Microstructure
Published on: January 14, 2014
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Diagnosis of Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Ag Nuwan D Perera1, Kathleen A Noorbakhsh, Jennifer R Marin
1From the Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, UPMC, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Insights
A child experienced syncope during a flu-like illness, revealing ventricular tachycardia. Focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) identified severe heart dysfunction, leading to prompt critical care. This case highlights the importance of rapid cardiac assessment in pediatric emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Background:
- Syncopal events in children can indicate serious underlying conditions.
- Viral illnesses can precipitate cardiac dysfunction in pediatric patients.
- Rapid cardiac assessment is crucial for critically ill children.
Abstract:
We report the case of a 6-year-old boy presenting to the emergency department after a syncopal event during a flu-like illness. Intermittent ventricular tachycardia was noted during Emergency Medical Services transport, and a focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) in the emergency department revealed a dilated left ventricle and left atrium as well as severe global systolic dysfunction. Point-of-care ultrasound findings prompted expedited evaluation and management of this critically ill patient.
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