Prevalence of Cardiovascular Complications in Malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Recent studies have suggested that malaria may affect the cardiovascular system. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular complications in symptomatic malaria patients. We searched databases such as Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science (January 1950-April 2020) for studies reporting on cardiovascular complications in adults and children with malaria. Cardiovascular complications were defined as abnormalities in electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac biomarkers, and echocardiography on admission or during outpatient examination. Studies of patients with known heart disease or cardiovascular evaluation performed after the start of intravenous antimalarial medication were excluded. The study was registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (No.: CRD42020167672). The literature search yielded 1,243 studies, and a total of 43 studies with symptomatic malaria patients were included. Clinical studies (n = 12 adults; n = 5 children) comprised 3,117 patients, of which a majority had Plasmodium falciparum (n = 15) and were diagnosed with severe malaria (n = 13). In random-effects models of adults, the pooled prevalence estimate for any cardiovascular complication was 7% (95% CI: 5-9). No meta-analysis was conducted in children, but the range of abnormal ECG was 0-8%, cardiac biomarkers 0-57%, and echocardiography 4-9%. We analyzed 33 cases (n = 10 postmortem), in which the most common cardiovascular pathologies were myocarditis and acute coronary syndrome. All histopathological studies found evidence of parasitized red blood cells in the myocardium. Cardiovascular complications are not uncommon in symptomatic adults and children with malaria. Additional studies investigating malaria and cardiovascular disease are encouraged.

Cardiac hydatidosis presenting as an acute coronary syndrome

A 56-year-old man presented as an acute coronary syndrome. A transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) performed to assess left ventricular (LV) function revealed multiple hydatid cysts in the right ventricular cavity compressing the interventricular septum. CT scan for chest and abdomen revealed similar cysts in right-lung apex and left lobe of liver. A polyvisceral involvement in the setting of multiple cardiac cysts suggested cardiac hydatidosis as the most probable diagnosis. CT coronary angiography was normal. A preoperative oral albendazole therapy was initiated. Later the patient underwent elective surgery, 'Evaculation of RV Hydatid Cysts and Obliteration of Cavity with Bovine Pericardium'. His postoperative recovery was good. Regular exercise, chest physiotherapy, a life-long anticoagulation therapy and antibiotic prophylaxis for invasive procedures were recommended. Patient was scheduled for regular follow-up, to check for any recurrences or late complications.