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Syncope in a 2-year-old: ED presentation of primary pulmonary hypertension
D E Farnie1, A Storrow, H Whitley
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Insights
A previously healthy 2-year-old girl experienced syncope and sudden death due to primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). This case highlights the need for urgent evaluation of cardiac syncope in children to identify life-threatening conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare and severe condition.
- Syncope in children can be a sign of serious underlying pathology.
Abstract:
We describe the case of a previously well 2-year-old girl who was found to have primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) after presenting to the ED with syncope. Although physical examination findings were normal, an ECG and chest radiograph showed signs of PPH. The patient's hospital course was significant for syncopal episodes and sudden death while she awaited a heart transplant. This case illustrates that suspected cardiac syncope in the young warrants a focused ED evaluation with attention to causes of a life-threatening nature.