Cardiac and coronary arterial involvement in infants and children from New England with mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki disease). Angiocardiographic-echocardiographic correlations

Lifetime cardiovascular management of patients with previous Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an inflammatory disorder of young children, associated with vasculitis of the coronary arteries with subsequent aneurysm formation in up to one-third of untreated patients. Those who develop aneurysms are at life-long risk of coronary thrombosis or the development of stenotic lesions, which may lead to myocardial ischaemia, infarction or death. The incidence of KD is increasing worldwide, and in more economically developed countries, KD is now the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children. However, many clinicians in the UK are unaware of the disorder and its long-term cardiac complications, potentially leading to late diagnosis, delayed treatment and poorer outcomes. Increasing numbers of patients who suffered KD in childhood are transitioning to the care of adult services where there is significantly less awareness and experience of the condition than in paediatric services. The aim of this document is to provide guidance on the long-term management of patients who have vascular complications of KD and guidance on the emergency management of acute coronary complications. Guidance on the management of acute KD is published elsewhere.

Noncoronary cardiac abnormalities are associated with coronary artery dilation and with laboratory inflammatory markers in acute Kawasaki disease

OBJECTIVES

We explored the association of noncoronary cardiac abnormalities with coronary artery dilation and with laboratory inflammatory markers early after Kawasaki disease (KD) diagnosis.

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, mitral regurgitation (MR), and aortic root dilation occur early after diagnosis; their associations with coronary artery dilation and inflammatory markers have not been well-described.

METHODS

Centrally interpreted echocardiograms were obtained at KD diagnosis and 1 and 5 weeks after diagnosis on 198 subjects in the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Pediatric Heart Network KD pulsed steroid trial. Regression models were constructed to investigate the relationships among early LV dysfunction, MR, and aortic root dilation with coronary artery dilation and laboratory inflammatory markers.

RESULTS

At diagnosis, LV systolic dysfunction was present in 20% of subjects and was associated with coronary artery dilation, seen in 29% (p = 0.004). Although LV dysfunction improved rapidly, LV dysfunction at diagnosis predicted greater odds of coronary artery dilation at 1 and 5 weeks after diagnosis (5-week odds ratio: 2.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 6.3). At diagnosis, MR was present in 27% of subjects and aortic root dilation was present in 8%; each was associated with larger coronary artery size at diagnosis. Left ventricular dysfunction was associated with higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate and, at diagnosis only, lower serum albumin; MR was associated with higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate and lower albumin at all times. Aortic root size had little association with inflammatory markers.

CONCLUSIONS

Noncoronary cardiac abnormalities are associated with coronary artery dilation and laboratory evidence of inflammation in the first 5 weeks after KD, suggesting a shared inflammatory mechanism. (Trial of Pulse Steroid Therapy in Kawasaki Disease [A Trial Conducted by the Pediatric Heart Network]; NCT00132080).

When children with Kawasaki disease grow up: Myocardial and vascular complications in adulthood

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, self-limited vasculitis that typically occurs in young children and was first described by Japanese pediatrician Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967. Although originally thought to be a rare condition, KD has become the most common cause of acquired heart disease in the pediatric age group in developed countries. The majority of patients with KD appear to have a benign prognosis, but a subset of patients with coronary artery aneurysms are at risk for ischemic events and require lifelong treatment. In the 4 decades that have passed since the initial recognition of KD, the number of patients reaching adulthood has continued to grow. Adult cardiologists will be increasingly involved in the management of these patients. Currently, there are no established guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of adult patients who have had KD. We review here the current literature that may be helpful to clinicians who care for adults who experienced KD in childhood.

Poor agreement between dipyridamole-stress technetium-99m-tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography and two-dimensional echocardiography in Kawasaki disease

To establish a noninvasive diagnostic method for early assessment of cardiac involvement in Kawasaki disease (KD), 28 children with KD were included in this study. Two-dimensional echocardiography (2D-Echo) to detect the aneurysms of coronary arteries (CA), as well as rest and dipyridamole-stress technetium-99m tetrofosmin (Tc-TF) myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormal myocardial perfusion were performed in all of the 28 children with KD and to compare each other. The results showed that (1). 42.9% of cases had no aneurysm and 57.1% had significant aneurysms detected by 2D-Echo; (2). 42.9% of cases had normal perfusion and 57.1% of cases had abnormal myocardial perfusion assessed by Tc-TF myocardial perfusion SPECT; (3). 25.0% of cases showed both normal 2D-Echo and Tc-TF myocardial perfusion SPECT findings and 39.3% of cases showed both abnormal 2D-Echo and Tc-TF myocardial perfusion SPECT findings; and (4). there was poor agreement between 2D-Echo and Tc-TF myocardial perfusion SPECT findings (P>0.05). We concluded that poor agreement exists between aneurysms and abnormal myocardial perfusion detected by 2D-Echo and Tc-TF myocardial perfusion SPECT findings in patients with KD.

Discordance between dipyridamole technetium-99m-sestamibi myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography and two-dimensional echocardiography in Kawasaki disease--a preliminary report

This study attempts to establish a noninvasive diagnostic method for early assessment of cardiac involvement in Kawasaki disease (KD), 36 children with KD were studied. The presence of abnormal coronary arteries (CA) with aneurysms was determined by experienced pediatric cardiologists using two-dimensional echocardiography (2D-Echo). Rest and dipyridamole-stress technetium-99m sestamibi (Tc-MIBI) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed on the 36 children with KD for the assessment of myocardial perfusion and for comparison with 2D-Echo findings. The results showed that (1) 17/36 (47.2%) of the cases had no aneurysm and 19/36 (52.8%) had significant aneurysms; (2) 16/36 (44.4%) of the cases had normal myocardial perfusion and 20/36 (55.6%) had myocardial perfusion defects; (3) 9/36 (25.0%) cases showed both normal 2D-Echo and Tc-MIBI SPECT findings and 12/36 (33.3%) showed both abnormal 2D-Echo and Tc-MIBI SPECT findings; and (4) There was poor agreement between 2D-Echo and Tc-MIBI SPECT findings (kappa-value = 0.161, p = 0.332). We concluded that the most of the KD children had aneurysms or abnormal myocardial perfusion. However, poor agreement exists between 2D-Echo and Tc-MIBI SPECT findings with aneurysms and abnormal myocardial perfusion in patients with KD.

Long-term cardiac sequelae of Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in childhood. Despite treatment with intravenous gamma globulin, 2% to 4% of patients have coronary abnormalities. Those with giant aneurysms are at risk for stenosis and myocardial ischemia/infarction, and require aggressive anticoagulation with frequent follow-up, including stress testing and coronary angiography. In rare cases, patients will have coronary artery bypass grafting. Those with less severe coronary involvement need antiplatelet therapy and infrequent noninvasive testing. Patients with normal echos after the acute phase are not treated, but the future impact of the disease is not certain particularly in the setting of adult onset coronary artery disease.

Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in the USA. An acute vasculitis of unknown etiology, it occurs predominantly in infancy and early childhood, and more rarely in teenagers. Coronary artery aneurysms or ectasia develop in approximately 15-25% of children with the disease. Treatment with intravenous gamma globulin, 2 g per kg, in the acute phase reduces this risk three- to fivefold. Angiographic resolution occurs in approximately one-half of aneurysmal arterial segments, but these show persistent histologic and functional abnormalities. The remainder continue to be aneurysmal, often with development of progressive stenosis or occlusion. The worst prognosis occurs in children with so-called 'giant aneurysms', i.e. those with a maximum diameter greater than 8 mm, because thrombosis is promoted both by sluggish blood flow within the massively dilated vascular space and by the frequent development of stenotic lesions. Serial stress tests with myocardial imaging are mandatory in the management of patients with Kawasaki disease and significant coronary artery disease to determine the need for coronary angiography and transcatheter interventions or coronary bypass surgery. Continued long-term surveillance in patients with and without detected coronary abnormalities is necessary to determine the natural history of Kawasaki disease.

The Churg-Strauss syndrome. A case report with angiographically documented coronary involvement and a review of the literature

The Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is an unusual disease that presents as a systemic vasculitis and peripheral eosinophilia in a patient with chronic atopic disease. Although often not prominent on initial presentation, cardiac involvement is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CSS. We report a case of a young woman with CSS who had a myocardial infarction. Coronary arteriography was performed for recurrent chest pain and demonstrated diffuse vasculopathy consistent with vasculitis in CSS. We have also included a review of the literature on cardiac involvement in CSS.

Relationships between coronary artery dilatation and severity of carditis detected by two-dimensional echocardiography and [99mTc]HMPAO-labeled white blood cell heart scan in children with Kawasaki disease

Forty-one children (15 girls, 26 boys; ages 3.0 +/- 2.1 years) with Kawasaki disease (KD) were included in our study. The diameters of a total of 82 coronary arteries (CA), comprising 41 left (LCA) and 41 right (RCA), were computed by two-dimensional echocardiography (2D-Echo). If the diameter of the CA was > or = 20 mm, it was considered as dilated. The severity of the carditis was evaluated by [99mTc]HMPAO-labeled white blood cell (WBC) heart scans (Tc-WBC) carried out in all cases. On the basis of the results the children were divided into three groups. Group A children had the most severe carditis where the heart uptake was greater than the bone uptake; 11 of 32 (34.3%) of the CA in 16 cases were dilated. Group B had carditis of medium severity where the heart uptake was equal to the bone uptake; 11 of 28 (39.3%) of the CA in 14 cases were dilated. Group C had mild carditis where the heart uptake was less than the bone uptake; 9 of 22 (40.9%) of the CA in 11 cases were dilated. There were no significant differences among the three groups (p = 0.87 by a chi-squared test). We conclude that no definite relationship exists between the severity of carditis and the dilatation of the CA in children with KD.

Coronary artery fistula complicating the evaluation of Kawasaki disease

Two patients clinically diagnosed with Kawasaki disease were found to have a coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistula. The dilemma of deciding the etiology of coronary artery dilatation in these patients is discussed along with management.

Multiple coronary artery aneurysms in an adult associated with extensive thrombus formation resulting in acute myocardial infarction: successful treatment with intracoronary urokinase, intravenous heparin, and oral anticoagulation

A 37-yr-old white female was admitted to hospital with an evolving anterior myocardial infarction. Coronary arteriography revealed multiple aneurysms in the left anterior descending (and right) coronary arteries. In the left anterior descending artery, there was evidence of extensive thrombus formation. The patient was successfully treated with intracoronary urokinase, intravenous heparin, and oral warfarin. There was partial thrombolysis in 16 hr and complete thrombolysis noted 6 wk later. This case of multiple coronary aneurysms, secondary to presumed Kawasaki disease, is the first documentation of antemortem intra-aneurysmal coronary thrombosis treated successfully by thrombolytic and anticoagulant therapy.

The value of angiography in the follow-up of coronary involvement in mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki disease)

From September 1976 to August 1988, 205 patients with mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki disease) were evaluated; 29 were suspected of having coronary artery abnormalities because of either abnormalities on echocardiography (n = 21), congestive heart failure (n = 3), prolonged fever (n = 3) or cardiac arrest (n = 2). All 29 underwent cardiac catheterization and 22 were found to have coronary artery abnormalities. An additional 4 patients were diagnosed solely by autopsy; therefore, 26 patients (12%) in this series had coronary artery abnormalities. The clearance of contrast medium from the coronary arteries after aortography was significantly prolonged in patients with coronary artery aneurysms as compared with that in a control group (p less than 0.001). All patients exhibited delayed clearance of contrast medium on the initial aortogram as compared with that on follow-up studies (p less than 0.01). Of the 22 patients with angiographically documented coronary artery abnormalities, 19 had right and 20 had left coronary artery involvement; the majority had diffuse involvement of both vessels. In 15 patients who underwent follow-up catheterization 6 months to 7 years after initial study, complete resolution was observed in only 37% of affected coronary artery segments. In four patients, three of whom were asymptomatic, severely stenotic or occluded coronary artery segments were found on late catheterization. Coronary artery bypass surgery was performed in two of these patients. Echocardiography did not detect any of these stenoses. Although echocardiography is important for initial diagnosis and serial evaluation, angiography is essential to fully define the nature and extent of coronary artery lesions, particularly if stenosis is present.

Cardiovascular manifestations in Kawasaki disease

Thirteen patients with Kawasaki disease were reviewed. The average age at presentation was 31 months (range: 6 weeks to 8 years). Mean follow up was 36 months, with a range of 5 to 53 months. Cardiovascular manifestations were present in 9 patients. These comprised pericarditis with myocarditis (2), pericardial effusion (4), coronary artery ectasia (3), coronary artery aneurysms (3), peripheral artery aneurysm (1) and peripheral vasculitis (1). Treatment consisted of aspirin alone in 11 and gammaglobulin with aspirin in 2 patients. One patient with coronary artery involvement died following a myocardial infarction. A large coronary artery aneurysm persists, 31 months after initial detection in another patient. Spontaneous resolution of the cardiovascular complications occurred in the remaining seven patients. The importance of clinical awareness and detailed evaluation and follow up of the cardiovascular system in Kawasaki disease is emphasised. There is also a need, however, to exclude other diagnoses which may have a similar clinical presentation.

Left ventricular contractility and function in Kawasaki syndrome. Effect of intravenous gamma-globulin

To investigate the effect of Kawasaki syndrome on myocardial function, as well as the influence of high-dose intravenous gamma-globulin therapy on resolution of functional abnormalities, we studied 98 patients with Kawasaki syndrome during five time intervals from onset of illness: 1) 10 days or less, 2) 11-31 days, 3) 1-3 months, 4) 3-12 months, and 5) 1-3 years. Normal controls included 48 children under age 8 years, without known cardiovascular disease. Using two-dimensional directed M-mode echocardiograms, we obtained chamber dimensions, fractional shortening, rate-corrected velocity of shortening (Vcfc) adjusted for end-systolic wall stress, and early diastolic function parameters that included adjusted peak rates of left ventricular dimension change, wall thinning, and their respective timing. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic dimensions were larger (both p less than 0.01) in patients than in normal subjects in period 1. Stress-adjusted Vcfc was much lower in patients in the 3 months after disease onset; by period 5, contractility was comparable in patients and normal subjects. Adjusted indexes of early diastolic function did not differ significantly between patients and normal subjects. To investigate the effect of gamma-globulin, we analyzed data on 47 patients prospectively randomized to therapy with aspirin alone (n = 19, 40%) or to aspirin plus gamma-globulin, 400 mg/kg/day for 4 consecutive days (n = 28, 60%). In period 1, before treatment, the two groups had mean fractional shortening and stress-adjusted Vcfc comparable to each other but much lower than those of normal subjects (p less than or equal to 0.001). Patients treated with aspirin alone continued to have diminished fractional shortening and Vcfc compared with normal subjects in periods 2, 3, and 4 (all p less than or equal to 0.05). In contrast, fractional shortening and Vcfc in gamma-globulin-treated patients in these periods were comparable to those of normal subjects. By period 5, no difference was detected in systolic function or contractility between either treatment group and normal subjects. We conclude that early abnormalities of left ventricular contractility and myocardial function, as assessed by echocardiography, generally resolve by 1-3 years after disease onset and that recovery is accelerated by administration of IVGG in the acute phase.

The diameter of coronary arteries in infants and children without heart disease

Two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations of the proximal left and right coronary artery were performed in 100 children without heart disease. Fifty-nine boys and 41 girls were studied whose ages ranged from 1 day to 17 years old. The diameter of the proximal right and left coronary artery was 1 mm in newborns and 4.5 mm in teenagers. No significant difference was observed between male and female subjects. A linear correlation between the coronary artery dimensions and the patient's age, weight, length, and body surface area could be demonstrated. The closest linear correlation corresponded to the patient's length with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.91 and r = 0.89 for the right and the left proximal coronary artery respectively. A quick orientation concerning normality of coronary artery diameters is possible with our graph of body length and corresponding coronary artery size. Knowing normal echocardiographic values for proximal coronary artery diameters, even subtle changes of these vessels can be diagnosed and the number of invasive diagnostic procedures, e.g. in Kawasaki disease, can be reduced.

Dipyridamole-thallium-201 tomography documenting improved myocardial perfusion with therapy in Kawasaki disease

Thallium-201 tomographic perfusion studies after pharmacologic vasodilation were performed in seven children (aged 2 years 8 months to 8 years 7 months), 3 to 20 months after the acute stage of the disease. In all patients coronary aneurysms were seen on cross-sectional echocardiograms. The scintigrams of six children showed no significant regional reduction of myocardial thallium-201 uptake. These children had remained asymptomatic in the follow-up period after the acute inflammatory stage of Kawasaki disease. Persistent and transient thallium defects were present in one child with acute posterolateral myocardial infarction; obstruction of two coronary vessels supplying the defect zones was confirmed by contrast angiography. After 8 months of treatment a follow-up nuclear scan showed marked reduction in the size of the defect and almost complete abolishment of the ischemic reaction. Thus tomographic thallium-201 perfusion scintigraphy in conjunction with vasodilation stress is useful to assess myocardial perfusion in children with Kawasaki disease and demonstrates marked improvement in regional perfusion after adequate medical therapy.

Correlation of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes in Kawasaki syndrome

To determine whether changes in ECGs correlated with abnormalities in echocardiograms in children with acute and convalescent Kawasaki syndrome, we undertook a retrospective analysis of 44 patients examined during the first 2 weeks of illness and followed for at least 6 months, 31 for longer than 1 year. We analyzed 360 ECGs, 282 echocardiograms, and clinical status. Results of echocardiography showed 18 children with myocardial dysfunction, pericardial effusion, and/or coronary arterial abnormalities (41%); 26 children had no abnormalities. All 18 of the former and all but 10 of the latter had abnormalities on serial ECGs that normalized on recovery. Thirty-four of 44 patients (77%) had ECG abnormalities. These abnormalities were most prevalent in the first month: 68% appeared in the first week, about 50% in the second to fourth weeks, 16% at 2 months, and 10% at 3 months. The type of ECG change did not predict the type of echocardiographic abnormality, except that low voltage of QRS was found only with pericardial effusion. The most frequent early changes were in T waves, which were flattened in 28 (64%). Later 12 patients had high, peaked, abnormal T waves. Prolonged PR interval occurred in 13 patients, seven of whom had echocardiographic abnormalities. Of six with prolonged QT interval, four had abnormal echocardiograms. The possibility of having an abnormal echocardiogram increased with the number of ECG changes: from 0 risk with no change to 37% for one, 47% for two, 80% for three, and 100% for four changes in serial ECGs. Both ECGs and echocardiograms are important in early and subsequent evaluation of these patients. Inasmuch as the ECGs showed abnormalities in 77% whereas echocardiograms showed changes in 41%, we believe that serial ECGs in comparison with prior tracings offer the more sensitive noninvasive indicator of pancarditis in young children during acute and convalescent Kawasaki syndrome.

Effects of current therapy of Kawasaki disease on eicosanoid metabolism

Coronary artery inflammation in Kawasaki disease is accompanied by thrombocytosis and platelet activation. It was hypothesized that abnormal metabolism of bioactive eicosanoids could result from or contribute to these events. Circulating plasma thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and prostaglandin E were measured by double antibody radioimmunoassay in patients with Kawasaki disease before and after aspirin alone or aspirin and intravenous gamma globulin therapy. Plasma prostaglandin E concentrations were normal in all patient groups. Pretreatment thromboxane B2 was elevated compared with age-matched controls, fell moderately with high-dose aspirin (60 to 100 mg/kg/day) and marginally increased with low-dose aspirin (3 to 5 mg/kg/day) 6 to 8 weeks after treatment. Plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha was not detected in 12 of 16 patients before therapy and remained low in all but 1 patients by 6 to 8 weeks. Thromboxane B2 correlated weakly with serum salicylate concentration but had no relation to platelet mass. The results in these patients with Kawasaki disease indicate only partial thromboxane suppression and depressed prostacyclin generation regardless of therapy. This balance favors coronary vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation capable of potentiating myocardial ischemia or infarction. The results justify consideration of higher or more frequent aspirin doses for longer duration and thromboxane receptor blockade in this disease.

One-year follow-up of cardiac and coronary artery disease in infants and children with Kawasaki disease

Of 75 patients meeting clinical criteria for Kawasaki disease, 67 patients were followed with serial ECG and echocardiograms (echo) for at least 1 year. Sixteen patients had coronary artery aneurysms and three had dilated coronary arteries as assessed by initial two-dimensional (2D) echo and/or angiocardiographic studies. ECG findings of first and second-degree heart block and ST-T wave changes (36%) as well as M-mode echo abnormalities (45%) including pericardial effusion, decreased ventricular septal motion, and decreased left ventricular function were all normalized by 6 months, except in two infants who continued to have decreased function and flat ventricular septal motion. In four patients with single proximal coronary aneurysm and two with dilated coronary artery, resolution of lesions occurred by 1 year. Among 11 patients with multiple coronary aneurysms discovered by initial studies, the 2D echo became normal in seven and showed aneurysms in four as corroborated by angiogram. One patient with an isolated distal coronary aneurysm, not seen by initial or serial echo, had a normal follow-up angiogram. Our study suggests that in Kawasaki disease careful, serial, 2D echo is sufficient to monitor the course of coronary artery disease that tends to regress and follow a benign course. However, the long-term effects of this disease on cardiac and coronary arteries remain to be elucidated.

Biphasic thallium 201 spect-imaging for the noninvasive diagnosis of myocardial perfusion abnormalities in a child with Kawasaki disease--a case report

The mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki disease) is of increasing importance for the pediatric cardiologist, for coronary aneurysms with the potential of thrombosis and subsequent stenosis can develop in the course of the disease. The authors report a 2 1/2-year-old female child in whom, fourteen months after the acute phase of Kawasaki disease, myocardial infarction occurred. Biphasic thallium 201 SPECT-imaging using dipyridamole depicted anterior wall ischemia and inferolateral infarction. This case demonstrates that noninvasive vasodilation-redistribution thallium 201 SPECT-imaging has the potential to predict reversible myocardial perfusion defects and myocardial necrosis, even in small infants with Kawasaki disease.

Usefulness of echocardiographic evidence of pericardial effusion and mitral regurgitation during the acute stage in predicting development of coronary arterial aneurysms in the late stage of Kawasaki disease

In 28 patients with Kawasaki disease, the relation of specific echocardiographic findings identified during the acute study of the illness, including valvular regurgitation, to development of coronary aneurysms was evaluated. Initial studies were performed at the time of clinical presentation, 5 to 10 days after the onset of fever, and follow-up studies were performed 1 to 2 months later. Patients in whom coronary aneurysms developed were more likely to have pericardial effusion (p = 0.0006) or mitral regurgitation (MR) (p = 0.014) at initial echocardiographic study than those without aneurysms. Presence of either mitral regurgitation (MR) or pericardial effusion had a positive predictive value of 0.84 for aneurysm development. Twenty-three percent of patients had MR, and it was associated with mild LV dilatation (35 +/- 3 vs 32 +/- 5 mm, p less than 0.05). Insufficiency of other valves was rare. Thus, MR and pericardial effusion on acute phase echocardiographic examination may predict development of coronary aneurysms in Kawasaki disease. Mild MR occurs frequently in acute Kawasaki disease and is associated with mild LV dilation.

Coronary artery caliber in normal children and patients with Kawasaki disease but without aneurysms: an echocardiographic and angiographic study

A total of 110 children aged 3 months to 16 years underwent two-dimensional echocardiography of the coronary arteries. Forty-two normal subjects and 68 patients with Kawasaki disease were evaluated. All 68 patients with Kawasaki disease underwent selective coronary arteriography. The objectives of this study were to 1) develop a normal profile of the proximal left and right coronary arteries as to caliber and shape in infants, toddlers and children using echocardiography; 2) compare the dimensions and shape of the coronary arteries of patients with Kawasaki disease but no obvious aneurysms with those of the coronary arteries of normal children; and 3) develop criteria that would permit distinguishing a large but normal coronary artery from a true aneurysm in patients with Kawasaki disease. In the normal subjects and patients with Kawasaki disease, the caliber of the coronary arteries showed little variability from the ostium to 10 mm distally, and ranged in size from 2 mm in infants to 5 mm in teenagers. There was no significant difference between male and female subjects. The feature that distinguished the large but normal coronary artery without aneurysm from that with an aneurysm was its uniformity of caliber. Also, the caliber of the opposite coronary artery was generally at the lower limits of normal. It appears that the proximal coronary arteries of infants and children can be accurately assessed using high resolution two-dimensional echocardiography, and that sequential evaluation of subtle changes over time may be performed.

Sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of two-dimensional echocardiography in detecting coronary artery aneurysms in patients with Kawasaki disease

Seventy-seven patients with Kawasaki disease were prospectively evaluated from 1978 to 1983 to determine the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value for detecting coronary artery aneurysms with two-dimensional echocardiography. Seventy (91%) underwent selective coronary arteriography and are included in this report. The study was divided into two periods because of increased experience and the use of a systematic approach with two-dimensional echocardiography in the second period as compared with the first. Aneurysms were demonstrated in nine patients (13%). The coronary artery system was divided into six regions: proximal third of the main right coronary artery, distal right coronary artery, left main coronary artery, left anterior descending coronary artery, circumflex coronary artery and distal left coronary artery. The sensitivity and specificity were high when imaging the proximal regions, and improved from the first period to the second. Both sensitivity and specificity were lower for the more distal regions of the right and left coronary arteries. Overall, the sensitivity of two-dimensional echocardiography was 100% because there were no patients in our study who had isolated distal coronary artery aneurysms. Two-dimensional echocardiography is a sensitive and specific test for detecting aneurysms in the proximal portions of both the right and left coronary arteries, and is useful in selecting patients for invasive investigation with selective coronary arteriography.

Clinical characteristics of myocardial infarction following Kawasaki disease: report of 11 cases

Between 1979 and 1984, 11 patients with myocardial infarction following Kawasaki disease were seen in our hospital. There were seven boys and four girls, aged from 3 months to 6 years. This cardiovascular complication developed in the early stage, from 19 days to 6 months of illness, in all but three patients. Significant clinical symptoms were recognized in only five patients. Two patients died, the conditions of two are well controlled with anticongestive therapy, and the remaining patients are asymptomatic. The diagnosis of myocardial infarction was confirmed by the following clinical findings: typical ECG patterns (10/11), abnormality of the left ventricular wall movement by serial two-dimensional echocardiography (9/10), elevated value of cardiac enzymes (6/6), perfusion defect by thallium 201 myocardial scintigraphy (6/8), and coronary artery occlusion or ventricular aneurysm by angiocardiography (9/9). All patients had markedly dilated and multiple coronary aneurysms during the course of the illness. Because myocardial infarction is frequently associated with the rapidly dilating coronary artery during the acute stage, ECG monitoring, preparation of resuscitation equipment, and use of antithrombotic agents are recommended for those high-risk patients. When a myocardial infarction has been diagnosed, measures including cardiac monitoring, use of vasodilators, inotropic agents, and urokinase may be valuable.

Repeated quantitative angiograms in coronary arterial aneurysm in Kawasaki disease

Accurate evaluation of the extent of coronary artery lesions complicating Kawasaki disease is clinically important in patient management. Based on a total of 188 coronary angiograms and retrospective follow-up observations, the condition of coronary aneurysms was quantitatively graded as: 0 (normal)--no significant enlargement in any portion of the coronary artery; I (mild)--aneurysmal dilatation of the coronary artery evident but localized, with a maximal diameter of less than 4.0 mm; II (moderate)--maximal diameter of coronary aneurysms between 4.0 and 8.0 mm, regardless of body size; III (severe)--giant aneurysms, with the maximal diameter greater than 8.0 mm. Most mild coronary aneurysms regressed to normal within a short time, and the patient's prognosis was good. The course of grade II aneurysms varied, depending on initial angiographic coronary diameter, but all were eventually reduced in coronary size. In contrast, grade III aneurysms usually progressed to become obstructive or stenotic coronary lesions, or the large aneurysm persisted. Follow-up observations revealed that the course of coronary artery disease depended on the size and distribution of aneurysms at initial angiography. This grading of the severity of coronary lesions may provide useful criteria for predicting the prognosis of patients with Kawasaki disease.

High incidence of aortic regurgitation following Kawasaki disease

Among 131 patients with Kawasaki disease who underwent cardiac examinations from December 1979 to July 1984, six (4.6%) had aortic regurgitation documented on aortography. A protodiastolic murmur typical of aortic regurgitation was heard in four patients. Both cardiac enlargement on chest roentgenogram and ECG signs of left ventricular hypertrophy were demonstrated in only half of the patients. Of five patients who underwent a second angiographic study 1 year later, two no longer had aortic regurgitation; pulsed Doppled echocardiography at this point revealed aortic regurgitant flow in the remaining three patients. All patients had associated coronary artery aneurysms, and two patients developed subsequent myocardial infarction. The development of aortic regurgitation following Kawasaki disease has been considered to be causally related to the carditis that most frequently occurs during the acute stage of the illness. Our data indicate that aortic regurgitation is not rare but is an important additional cardiovascular complication of Kawasaki disease.

Long-term echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac size and function in patients with Kawasaki disease

The long-term effects of Kawasaki disease on the cardiac function were evaluated in 67 patients. Serial M-mode echocardiograms were obtained at the time of the initial diagnosis, 1 to 3 months, at 3 to 12 months, and at greater than 12 months following the diagnosis. Left ventricular and left atrial dimensions, shortening fraction, left and right ventricular systolic time interval ratios, and computer analysis of digitized echoes of the left ventricular chamber and posterior wall were obtained. The left atrial and left ventricular dimensions were abnormal in half of the patients throughout the study periods. The shortening fraction was abnormal initially but became normal by the end of 3 months. The peak rates of emptying of the left ventricle and thickening of the posterior wall were significantly reduced in all evaluation periods. In addition, the peak rate of diastolic thinning of the posterior wall was reduced, although the peak rate of filling remained normal. Finally, more than 30% of patients studied beyond 12 months had a prolonged major filling and thinning period. There was no difference between patients with or without coronary artery aneurysms. All other systolic and diastolic phase intervals and rates of changes were normal. Contrary to previously published reports, we conclude that patients with Kawasaki disease who do not have demonstrable coronary artery disease, exhibit abnormalities of cardiac chamber size and function long after their acute illness.

Cardiovascular abnormalities in Kawasaki disease

Eighteen patients with Kawasaki disease underwent serial, cross sectional echocardiographic examinations to determine the extent and subsequent course of cardiac involvement in this disease. The mean follow up period was 12.3 months. Cardiovascular complications were found in a total of 10 patients (55%). Coronary artery aneurysms were detected in 6 patients (33%), pericardial effusions in two, and one patient had electrocardiographic evidence suggesting inferior myocardial infarction. Coronary artery aneurysms, seen exclusively in infants less than 12 months of age, were found in four to regress over a mean period of 7.5 months (range 1 to 13 months). Electrocardiogram, chest radiographs, and clinical examination were unhelpful in identifying those patients with coronary artery aneurysms. Eight patients (44%) were hypertensive, though only two required treatment. While all patients have survived, serial cross sectional echocardiographs should be performed in children with Kawasaki disease to identify those at risk from potentially fatal complications.

Left ventricular wall motion abnormalities in Kawasaki's disease

Two-dimensional (2DE) and M-mode echocardiographic examinations were reviewed for 21 patients with Kawasaki's disease. Cardiac catheterization including coronary angiography was performed in 14 patients. 2DE detected regional myocardial contraction deficits in four patients later proven to have coronary disease. Coronary aneurysms were detected by echocardiography in two of four patients with proven coronary lesions. Although a minor pericardial effusion was detected in two patients and an increased left ventricular (LV) cavity dimension was found in one patient, M-mode function studies were not helpful for detection of cardiac involvement. ECG and chest x-ray examination were also noncontributory. We conclude that 2DE detection of LV wall contraction abnormalities may be a sensitive method for detecting cardiac contraction abnormalities may be a sensitive method for detecting cardiac involvement in Kawasaki's disease. 2DE may be better for assessing LV contraction than for imaging aneurysms in Kawasaki patients.

Kawasaki syndrome: report of four cases with acute gallbladder hydrops

We studied gallbladder involvement in 19 patients with Kawasaki syndrome who presented over a 4-year period from 1979 to 1982. Diagnosis and follow-up of gallbladder disease were defined by real-time ultrasound. Complete spontaneous resolution of abdominal symptomatology related to the hydropic gallbladder occurred without complication and did not require surgical intervention. We suggest that the incidence of hydrops of the gallbladder in mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome is higher than commonly appreciated, since diagnosis may be missed unless ultrasound is performed.