Fulminant influenza type a associated myocarditis: a fatal case in an 8 year old child
Letouze, N.; Jokic, M.; Maragnes, P.; Rouleau, V.; Flais, F.; Vabret, A.; Freymuth, F.
Archives des Maladies du Coeur et des Vaisseaux 99(5): 514-516
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9683 PMID: 16802745 Document Number: 597093
Fulminant Influenza type A-associated myocarditis are very rare in children. The clinical presentation is non specific, like flu illness, cardiogenic shock or sudden cardiac arrest. We report the case of a eight years old girl with a fulminant Influenza A-associated myocarditis with a fatal evolution despite the use of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The aim of this observation is to remind that influenza in children, usually considered as a benign illness, can exceptionally be complicated by a fulminant myocarditis. Because the possibility to recover a full myocardial function, the persistence of severe heart failure despite the medical treatment should conduct rapidly to a mechanical circulatory assistance.