Cardiac tamponade after varicella infection

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Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart
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Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart

Published on: July 18, 2014

A Shefler1, N Archer, R Walia

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Oxford Radcliffe Hospital, UK.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|August 1, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Varicella zoster virus infection can rarely cause severe heart complications in children, including cardiac tamponade. Early recognition of this rare myopericarditis is crucial for timely intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection is common in childhood.
  • Myopericarditis is a rare but serious complication of VZV infection.
  • Cardiac complications can range from subclinical changes to severe heart failure.

Observation:

  • A 4-month-old infant presented with cardiac tamponade and large pericardial effusion.
  • Symptoms appeared two weeks after a varicella exanthem.
  • Streptococcus was observed in pericardial fluid but not cultured; clinical course suggested viral myopericarditis.

Findings:

  • Varicella infection can lead to significant myopericardial disease in infants.
  • Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade are potential severe outcomes.
  • Viral etiology is suspected despite transient bacterial presence in pericardial fluid.

Implications:

  • Highlights the potential for severe cardiac complications from VZV in children.
  • Emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and management of varicella-associated myopericarditis.
  • Informs clinical practice regarding the spectrum of VZV-related cardiac disease.
Abstract

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