The Tei index and asymptomatic myocarditis in children with severe dengue

A Review on The Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Disease of Flaviviridea Viruses Infection

Members of the Flaviviridae family, encompassing the Flavivirus and Hepacivirus genera, are implicated in a spectrum of severe human pathologies. These diseases span a diverse spectrum, including hepatitis, vascular shock syndrome, encephalitis, acute flaccid paralysis, and adverse fetal outcomes, such as congenital heart defects and increased mortality rates. Notably, infections by Flaviviridae viruses have been associated with substantial cardiovascular compromise, yet the exploration into the attendant cardiovascular sequelae and underlying mechanisms remains relatively underexplored. This review aims to explore the epidemiology of Flaviviridae virus infections and synthesize their cardiovascular morbidities. Leveraging current research trajectories and our investigative contributions, we aspire to construct a cogent theoretical framework elucidating the pathogenesis of Flaviviridae-induced cardiovascular injury and illuminate prospective therapeutic avenues.

Myocarditis manifestations in dengue cases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Dengue fever is a zoonotic viral infection that raises a global alarm in the tropics and subtropics, with the potentially escalating into newer geographical regions. Severe dengue may be associated with fatal complications such as myocarditis. There is a paucity of available data on the prevalence of dengue-associated myocarditis. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the global prevalence of dengue-associated myocarditis.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted utilizing the Cochrane library, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Preprint servers such as arXiv, medRxiv, bioRxiv, BioRN, ChiRN, ChiRxiv, and SSRN as of November 25, 2022. All primary studies (case series, cross-sectional, retrospective, and prospective) that reported confirmed cases of dengue myocarditis were included. The I2 statistic test assessed the heterogenic characteristics and publication bias was evaluated using Doi plot and Egger regression tests.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies conducted between 2007 and 2022 with 2795 laboratory-confirmed dengue patients were included. Of the included cases, 502 were positive for myocarditis, with a prevalence of 2.4-78%. The pooled prevalence of dengue-induced myocarditis in the studied population was 21.0% (95% CI, 9 - 38%). The prediction interval was estimated to be 0.00 - 0.81.

CONCLUSION

Myocarditis in dengue patients is a significant and understudied complication in many aspects. To prevent dengue-associated myocarditis, appropriate measures such as early detection of cases and signs, symptoms-based diagnosis via electrocardiography and echocardiography, as well as relevant vector control policies must be implemented.

Potential role of transthoracic echocardiography for screening LV systolic dysfunction in patients with a history of dengue infection. A cross-sectional and cohort study and review of the literature

Background

Dengue virus can affect the cardiovascular system and men may be at higher risk of severe complications than women. We hypothesized that clinical dengue virus (DENV) infection could induce myocardial alterations of the left ventricle (LV) and that these changes could be detected by transthoracic echocardiography.

Methodology/Principal findings

We examined individuals from Acre in the Amazon Basin of Brazil in 2020 as part of the Malaria Heart Study. By questionnaires we collected information on self-reported prior dengue infection. All individuals underwent transthoracic echocardiography, analysis of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). We included 521 persons (mean age 40±15 years, 39% men, 50% urban areas) of which 253 (49%) had a history of dengue infection. In multivariable models adjusted for clinical and sociodemographic data, a history of self-reported dengue was significantly associated with lower LVEF (β = -2.37, P < 0.01) and lower GLS (β = 1.08, P < 0.01) in men, whereas no significant associations were found in women (P > 0.05). In line with these findings, men with a history of dengue had higher rates of LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF < 50% = 20%; GLS < 16% = 17%) than those without a history of dengue (LVEF < 50% = 7%; GLS < 16% = 8%; P < 0.01 and 0.06, respectively).

Conclusions/Significance

The findings of this study suggest that a clinical infection by dengue virus could induce myocardial alterations, mainly in men and in the LV, which could be detected by conventional transthoracic echocardiography. Hence, these results highlight a potential role of echocardiography for screening LV dysfunction in participants with a history of dengue infection. Further larger studies are warranted to validate the findings of this study.

Heart Disease and Arboviruses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Dengue fever, chikungunya, and zika are highly prevalent arboviruses transmitted by hematophagous arthropods, with a widely neglected impact in developing countries. These diseases cause acute illness in diverse populations, as well as potential cardiovascular complications. A systematic review was carried out to investigate the burden of cardiac involvement related to these arboviruses. Multiple databases were searched for articles that investigated the association of cardiovascular diseases with arboviruses, published up to March 2022. Relevant articles were selected and rated by two independent reviewers. Proportion meta-analysis was applied to assess the frequency-weighted mean of the cardiovascular findings. A total of 42 articles were selected (n = 76,678 individuals), with 17 manuscripts on dengue and 6 manuscripts on chikungunya undergoing meta-analysis. The global pooled incidence of cardiac events in dengue fever using a meta-analysis was 27.21% (95% CI 20.21–34.83; I² = 94%). The higher incidence of dengue-related myocarditis was found in the population younger than 20 years old (33.85%; 95% CI 0.00–89.20; I² = 99%). Considering the studies on chikungunya (n = 372), the global pooled incidence of cardiac involvement using a meta-analysis was 32.81% (95% CI 09.58–61.49, I² = 96%). Two Zika studies were included that examined cases of infection by vertical transmission in Brazil, finding everything from structural changes to changes in heart rate variability that increase the risk of sudden death. In conclusion, cardiac involvement in arboviruses is not uncommon, especially in dengue fever.

Tei Index Is a Useful Adjunctive Tool in the Diagnostic Workup of Patients with Acute Myocarditis

Background: Tei index (TI) is a combined myocardial performance index, which was found to be more sensitive for overall cardiac dysfunction than systolic or diastolic parameters alone. Currently, there is only limited evidence for this measure in the context of myocarditis. Thus, TI could add additional benefits to conventional diagnostic workup. Methods: TI of patients with myocarditis (n = 40), acute coronary syndrome (n = 29) and controls (n = 50) was retrospectively analyzed concerning its discriminatory ability for myocarditis. Results: TI was most pathological in patients with myocarditis (median 0.41 vs. 0.35 vs. 0.31, p < 0.0001). Its discriminatory ability was better than that of EF or E/e’ (AUCs: TI: 0.71, p < 0.0001; EF: 0.57, p = 0.112; E/e’: 0.64, p = 0.983), which was also verified in logistic regression analysis (B(SE) = 0.81(0.23), p = 0.0004). The association of TI with myocarditis remained significant even after correction for confounders in propensity score weighted analysis. Conclusions: The TI showed a better discriminatory ability for myocarditis than conventional echocardiographic parameters. Since TI is easily conducted, it might be a helpful adjunctive tool to supplement conventional diagnostic modalities in patients with suspected myocarditis.

Prevalence and Outcomes of Myocarditis in Dengue-Infected Patients Admitted to a Tertiary Care Hospital of Low-Middle Income Country

Background:

Myocarditis is a challenging diagnosis due to the heterogeneity of clinical presentations. Myocarditis can present with a mildly raised cardiac enzyme to severe myocarditis leading to congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, and death. It is a predictor of morbidity and mortality in dengue-infected patients. The exact prevalence of dengue myocarditis and its outcomes are unknown in Pakistan.

Objectives:

We aim to study the prevalence and association of myocarditis with the length of stay in the hospital and mortality of dengue-infected patients.

Methods:

A retrospective observational study done at a tertiary care hospital. We reviewed hospital record files of 1008 consecutive patients with dengue viral infection admitted from November 2018 to November 2019.

Results:

Out of 1008 dengue-infected patients, 55.4% of patients were older than 35 years and 68.4% were males. Hypertension (HTN) was the most common comorbid condition. The prevalence of myocarditis in hospitalized dengue-infected patients was 4.2%. All (100%) of dengue myocarditis patients had raised cardiac troponin I (cTn-I), 59.5% of patients had at least one electrocardiography (ECG) change, and 24% had reduced ejection fraction (EF) (defined as EF < 55%). On multivariable analysis, patients with raised cTn-I levels (adjusted odds ratios = 5.29; [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.16–12.96]) and abnormal echocardiography (ECHO) [aOR = 4.38; 95% CI: 1.26–15.27)] had a prolonged hospital stay (>3 days). Raised cTn-I levels (aOR = 8.2; [95% CI: 1.83–36.84]) was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions:

Raised cTn-I is the predictor of length of stay and in-hospital mortality in dengue-infected patients. Atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, low serum bicarbonate, high serum creatinine, and any abnormality on echocardiography were associated with adverse outcomes in dengue-infected patients.

Characteristics of hemodynamic parameters after fluid resuscitation and vasoactive drugs administration in pediatric shock: A prospective observational study

Background

Prior studies have shown that septic shock survivors had a normal cardiac index (CI) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI). However, this feature seems to be questionable in other-caused shock, since several factors are associated with the hemodynamic profile. This study aims to describe hemodynamic profiles (preload, inotropy, afterload, stroke volume, and cardiac output) after fluid resuscitation and vasoactive therapy in children with shock.

Methods

Children aged 1 month to 18 years old with shock conditions were included in this study. Fluid resuscitation was administered following the American College of Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) protocol. Hemodynamic profiles were assessed at 1 and 6 h from the start of fluid resuscitation. Grouping of the subjects was determined by the USCOM examination in 1st hour until the end of the study and we divided into 3 groups.

Results

At 1 h, group 1 (low CI) was 14% (CI:2.5[1.2–3.2]L/min/m²), group 2 (normal CI) was 66% (CI:4.2[3.4–5.8]L/min/m²), and group 3 (high CI) was 20% (CI:7.1[6.1–9.4]L/min/m²). SVRI was higher in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3 (p < 0.05). Group 1 and 2 revealed fluid-refractory shock (SVV:25[12–34]% and 29(13–58)%, respectively), lower Smith-Madigan Inotropy Index (SMII) and higher Potential to Kinetic Ratio (PKR) compared to group 3 (p < 0.05). Group 3 revealed fluid-responsive shock (Stroke Volume Variation (SVV):32[18–158]%), higher SMII and lower PKR. At 6th hour, CI in all groups were normal (group 1:3.5[1.2–7.5]; group 2:4.0[1.7–6.1]; group 3:6.0[3.1–6.2]). However, 71.4% and 54.5% of subjects in groups 1 and 2, respectively, still revealed low inotropy. Group 3 revealed a significant increase in SVRI and PKR (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Most pediatric shock patients were hypodynamic. Even when the CI was normal, the preload, inotropy, and afterload may still be abnormal. It represented the inotropy as a key to hemodynamic.

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Describe the macrocirculation parameter (preload, inotropy, afterload) in children with shock.

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Most pediatric shock tend to be hypodynamic.

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Fluid and vasoactive agent therapy should be guided by combination of the hemodynamic parameters.

Early cardiovascular involvement in dengue fever: A prospective study with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography

Cardiac abnormalities in dengue infection have been conventionally identified by clinical manifestations. The primary objective of our prospective observational study was to assess true cardiovascular involvement and early myocarditis in 150 hospitalised, confirmed cases of dengue fever, through myocardial strain detection using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Myocarditis was defined on the basis of European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2013 criteria. Cardiac biomarkers, namely, creatine phosphokinase myocardial band was elevated in 28.6% and Troponin-T in 23.3% patients. Electrocardiography was abnormal in 64.6% while 6% patients had two-dimensional structural echocardiographic abnormalities. Myocardial dysfunction was suspected in 27.3% based on ESC criteria and strain analysis. The severe dengue group had lower longitudinal strain [−16.4 (6.3)] and circumferential strain [−15.7 (6.7)]. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography was found to be useful in improving the understanding of early myocardial mechanics in dengue fever.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever and cardiac involvement

Dengue viral infection (DVI) is one of the world’s most significant viral infections spreading. Most of the patients have been asymptomatic, with relatively benign clinical manifestations and outcomes. However, a small number of patients have progressed to severe dengue diseases, including hemorrhage, multi-organ impairment, and increased vascular leakage causing hypovolemic shock, which can cause cardiovascular collapse and death. Numerous lines of evidence have demonstrated that DVI could also cause cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, and severe myocarditis. The treatment for dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) patients remains symptomatic and supportive, with close monitoring of hemodynamic status. The contributory role of cardiac dysfunction in DHF patients has potentially critical implications on the management. This review will address the current knowledge of cardiac involvement in DHF patients and the management strategy to reduce the fatality outcome.

Incidence of Cardiac Manifestations in Children with Dengue Fever: A Cross-sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to explore the incidence of cardiac involvement in children with dengue infection admitted in a tertiary care hospital and to evaluate the features of cardiac involvement with the severity of dengue fever.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study conducted from September 2014 to August 2016. A total of 130 patients with confirmed dengue NS1 antigen or IgM antibody positivity between the ages of 1 month and 18 years were evaluated. On the third day of admission, blood samples for cardiac markers were collected, and electrocardiograms (ECG) and echocardiograms were performed for each patient.

RESULTS

Of the 130 dengue patients in the study, 60 (46.2%) were males and 70 (53.8%) were females (male to female ratio, 1:1.16). Cardiac involvement was present in 60 (46.2%) children and was more prominent in children with severe dengue (72.7%), followed by dengue with warning symptoms (53.8%) and dengue fever (28.6%). There was no significant correlation between cardiac involvement and primary/secondary dengue. Both ECG and echocardiography changes were significantly correlated with dengue severity, as opposed to cardiac markers.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac involvement was present in children with dengue. Evaluation with ECG, echocardiography, and cardiac markers such as creatine phosphokinase-myocardial band (CPK-MB) are required for the management of cardiac complications in children with dengue. Our study showed an association between cardiac involvement and the severity of dengue. Further studies should be framed, and follow-up of dengue patients with cardiac involvement is necessary for therapeutic management.

The Assessment of Myocardial Strain by Cardiac Imaging in Healthy Infants with Acute Bronchiolitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study aims to systematically review the incidence of myocardial strain detected by echocardiography in previously healthy infants with acute bronchiolitis and its role as a predictor for adverse outcomes in this setting.

METHODS

Pubmed/Medline, Excerpta Medica Data Base (EMBASE), and Cochrane Library were searched in April 2020 to identify original observational prospective studies that systematically performed echocardiography for the screening of myocardial strain in healthy infants with acute bronchiolitis. Pooled estimates were generated using random-effects models. Heterogeneity within studies was assessed using Cochran's Q and I² statistics. Funnel plots and Egger´s regression method were constructed to evaluate publication bias. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted to evaluate potential sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

After a detailed screening of 305 articles, a total of 10 studies with 395 participants (mean of 40 participants per study) was included. Five of them were classified as high-quality studies. Up to 28% of cases presented adverse outcomes. The echocardiographic screening for myocardial strain was performed within the first 24 h of admission in 92% cases. Tissue Doppler imaging and Speckle-Tracking echocardiography were performed only in 20% of cases. The presence of pulmonary hypertension was evaluated with methods different from the tricuspid regurgitation jet in 64% of cases. Seven studies found some grade of myocardial strain with a pooled incidence of 21% (CI 95%, 11-31%), in the form of pulmonary hypertension (pooled incidence of 20% (CI 95%, 11-30%)), and myocardial dysfunction (pooled incidence of 5% (CI 95%, 1-9%)). The presence of these echocardiographic alterations was associated with adverse outcomes (pooled relative risk = 16; CI 95%, 8.2-31.5). After a subgroup analysis based on the echocardiographic techniques used, no significant heterogeneity across the studies was observed. There was no evidence of publication bias when assessed by Egger´s test. Cardiac biomarkers to assess myocardial strain were used in five studies. Only N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide accurately predicted the presence of myocardial strain by echocardiography.

CONCLUSIONS

Myocardial strain is not infrequent in previously healthy infants with acute bronchiolitis, and it could be present at the early stages of the disease with prognostic implications. There is a need for sufficiently powered prospective studies with a similar methodology, preferably employing advanced imaging techniques, to conclusively address the usefulness of the assessment of myocardial strain in this setting.

Prevalence and Outcome of Sepsis-induced Myocardial Dysfunction in Children with 'Sepsis' 'With' and 'Without Shock'-A Prospective Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence and effects of sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) in children with septic shock.

METHODOLOGY

Enrolled children with septic shock (n = 31) and sepsis (n = 30) underwent echocardiography and cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) estimation within first 3 h. SIMD was defined as presence of systolic/diastolic dysfunction by echocardiography.

RESULTS

The prevalence of SIMD was 71% in 'septic shock' and 23% in 'sepsis'. Diastolic dysfunction (45.2%) was more prevalent than systolic dysfunction (32.3%). Children with SIMD had higher requirement of inotropes [81 vs. 44%; adjusted odds ratio: 1.41 (1.04-1.92)] in first 48 h. cTnI had low sensitivity (62.5%) and specificity (55.1%) for detecting SIMD. On follow-up at 3 months, there was no residual dysfunction in the majority (71.3%).

CONCLUSION

SIMD, especially diastolic dysfunction, is common in septic shock and may increase inotrope requirement. It is reversible in majority. Sepsis patients may have asymptomatic underlying SIMD. cTnI does not correlate with the degree of SIMD.

Elevated cardiac biomarkers and echocardiographic left ventricular dysfunction at admission in patients with dengue fever: report from a tertiary care center in Northwest India

Cardiac involvement is not an uncommon manifestation in dengue fever and diagnosing it has always been a challenge to physicians owing to its constellation of clinical features and lack of standard screening methods. We studied the prevalence of cardiac involvement among fifty sequential adult patients of dengue fever admitted in our emergency department, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India, who were assessed clinically and classified based on the severity. They were studied for possible cardiac involvement by means of point-of-care testing for serum cardiac biomarkers (quantitative troponin-I, creatinine kinase - MB Isoform and cardiac myoglobin) and two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram (2D-echo). Evidence of myocardial involvement was present in 16% and 30% patients based on 2D-echo and biomarker testing respectively. On univariate analysis, the presence of cardiac symptoms (p = 0.009) and of shock (p = 0.003) showed statistically significant association with biomarker elevation. However, this and evidence of myocardial dysfunction by 2-D echo showed poor inter-correlation.

Characterization of the Myocarditis during the worst outbreak of dengue infection in China

Myocarditis is a common complication of severe dengue infection. However, data about prevalence and characterization of myocarditis in dengue are still lacking. In 2014, the worst outbreak of dengue in the last two decades in China occurred. In this study, we described the clinical and laboratory diagnostic features of dengue with myocarditis. Totally, 1782 diagnosed dengue patients were admitted from August to October, 2014, all of whom were subjected to electrocardiogram, ultrasound cardiogram, and cardiac enzyme test. About 201 cases of dengue patients were diagnosed with myocarditis and the prevalence of myocarditis in hospitalized dengue was 11.28%. The prevalence of myocarditis in nonsevere dengue with warning signs and severe dengue [NSD(WS+)/SD] and nonsevere dengue without warning signs [NSD(WS-)] was 46.66% and 9.72%, respectively. The NSD(WS+)/SD patients with myocarditis presented with higher incidence of cardiac symptoms, supraventricular tachycardia (14.29% vs. 0%, P < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (25.71% vs. 10.24%, P = 0.019) and heart failure compared with NSD (WS-) patients with myocarditis. About 150 cases of dengue patients without myocarditis in the same period of time in department of Cardiology were recruited as control group. The proportion of NSD(WS+)/SD in dengue patients with and without myocarditis was 17.41% and 2.53%, respectively. Dengue patients with myocarditis experienced longer hospital stay than those without myocarditis (7.17 ± 4.64 vs. 5.98 ± 2.69, P = 0.008). There was no difference between patients with and without myocarditis in the proportion of symptoms, auxiliary methods abnormality, arrhythmia, and heart failure on the discharge day. Our study demonstrates the prevalence of myocarditis in worst outbreak of dengue in China was 11.28% and the incidence of myocarditis increased with the severity of dengue. The NSD(WS+)/SD patients with myocarditis presented with higher incidence of cardiac complication compared with NSD (WS-) patients with myocarditis. The prognosis of dengue patients with and without myocarditis had no significant difference even if myocarditis patients experienced longer hospital stay.

The relationship between left ventricle myocardial performance index of healthy women and geographical factors

The study focused on the relationship between geographical factors and left ventricular myocardial performance index (MPI)reference value, analyed the different distribution of MPI, and then provided a scientific basis for clinical examination. This study collected MPI reference values of 2545 healthy women from 91 cities in China, used the Moran's index to determin the spatial relationship, selected 25 geographical factors, examined the significance between MPI and geographical factors by correlation analysis, through the significance test, and extracted seven significant factors to build the artificial neural network (ANN) model and principal component analysis (PCA) model. Through calculating the relative error, the ANN model was chosen as the better model to predict the values. By normality test for the predicted values, the geographical distribution was made by disjunctive kriging interpolation. The predicted values decrease from north to south. If geographical factors are obtained in one location, the MPI of healthy women in this area can be predicted by the ANN model. Synthesizing the influence of physiological and geographical could be more scientific to formulate the MPI reference value.

Dengue: Moving from Current Standard of Care to State-of-the-Art Treatment

Treatment of dengue remains supportive in the absence of targeted antiviral therapy or approved vaccines. Responsive fluid management is key to preventing progression to shock or other severe manifestations. The dynamic natural history of dengue infection and its influence on hemodynamic homeostasis needs to be carefully considered in the planning of individualized therapy. Though largely self-limiting, the sheer burden of dengue disease on the global population will result in atypical manifestations especially in children, older adults, and comorbid patients. Management of these has not yet been systematized. The failure of recent randomized controlled trials to show utility for antiviral and immunomodulatory agents in dengue is disappointing. Vaccine candidates hold promise, but growing outbreaks require more robust, evidence-based management guidelines to inform clinicians, especially in novel epidemic situations.