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[The echocardiographic diagnosis and evolution of coronary aneurysms in Kawasaki's disease]
1Divisione di Cardiologia, Ospedale Pediatrico Giovanni XXIII, USL BA/11, Bari.
Insights
Echocardiography effectively diagnoses coronary artery aneurysms in children with Kawasaki disease. This non-invasive imaging can track aneurysm changes over time, aiding in management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Kawasaki disease is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children.
- Coronary artery aneurysms are a significant complication, increasing the risk of myocardial infarction and sudden death.
Observation:
- Bidimensional echocardiography revealed coronary artery aneurysms in affected children.
- Dilatation of coronary segments, including proximal and distal segments, was observed.
- Specific cases demonstrated large aneurysms in major coronary arteries and their branches.
Findings:
- Echocardiography accurately identified coronary aneurysms in Kawasaki disease.
- The technique allowed for monitoring aneurysm regression in some cases.
- It provided detailed visualization of aneurysm size and location.
Implications:
- Echocardiography offers a valuable non-invasive tool for diagnosing coronary aneurysms in Kawasaki disease.
- Serial echocardiographic examinations can aid in assessing aneurysm evolution and guiding treatment.
- Improved diagnostic capabilities can lead to better patient outcomes and reduced cardiovascular morbidity.
Abstract:
Some cases of coronary aneurysms studied echocardiographically in children suffering from Kawasaki's disease are reported. In the fourth case, bidimensional echocardiography highlighted a uniform dilatation of the right and left coronary proximal segments which had retreated at subsequent controls. In the third case, echocardiogram clearly showed large aneurysms in the common trunk of the left coronary artery, in the left circumflex artery and in the anterior interventricular artery. In other cases, the echocardiogram pointed to the presence of proximal and distal coronary aneurysms whose course it was possible to follow. Stress is laid on the usefulness of dimensional echocardiographic examination in the non-invasive diagnosis of coronary aneurysms in Kawasaki's disease.