Cardiovascular involvement in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and midterm follow-up from a pediatric tertiary center in India.

Abstract

Background: In multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) with coronavirus disease 2019, there was paucity of data from low-income and middle-income countries on cardiovascular involvement and its longitudinal outcomes. We planned to estimate the pattern of cardiovascular involvement among children with MIS-C and its mid-term outcomes.

Aim: To determine association between cardiovascular abnormalities and clinical and laboratory parameters. To study the time-line for resolution of various abnormalities.

Methods: In this prospective study done in a tertiary care hospital, 270 were recruited from June 2020 to January 2022. Baseline demographic data and clinical presentation were recorded. Laboratory parameters and echocardiography were done at admission. Follow-up was done at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after diagnosis. Descriptive statistics were used for parametric and non-parametric data. Risk factors were identified by multivariate regression analysis.

Results: The 211 (78.2%) had cardiac involvement and 102 needed intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Cardiovascular abnormalities observed were shock 123 (45.6%), coronary dilatation 28 (10.4%), coronary aneurysm 77 (28.5%), left ventricular (LV) dysfunction 78 (29.3%), mitral regurgitation (MR) 77 (28.5%) and pericardial effusion 98 (36.3%). Coronary artery aneurysm/dilatation during follow-up at 2 weeks and 1 year were 25.7% and 0.9% respectively. Multivariate regression analysis revealed breathlessness [odds ratio (OR) = 3.91, 95%CI: 1.25-12.21, P = 0.019] and hi-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) support (OR = 8.5, 95%CI: 1.06-68.38, P = 0.044) as predictors of cardiovascular involvement. Higher mean age (OR = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.02-1.32, P = 0.026), breathlessness (OR = 4.99, 95%CI: 2.05-12.20, P < 0.001), gallop (OR = 4.45, 95%CI: 0.41-2.52, P = 0.016), MR (OR = 3.61, 95%CI: 1.53-8.53, P = 0.004) and invasive ventilation (OR = 4.01, 95%CI: 1.28-12.58, P = 0.017) were predictive of LV dysfunction. Altered sensorium (OR = 4.96, 95%CI: 2.23-11.02, P < 0.001), headache (OR = 6.61, 95%CI: 1.46-29.92, P = 0.014), HFNC (OR = 7.03, 95%CI: 2.04-24.29, P = 0.002), non-rebreathing mask usage (OR = 21.13, 95%CI: 9.00-49.61, P < 0.001) and invasive ventilation (OR = 5.64, 95%CI: 1.42-22.45, P = 0.014) were risk factors for shock. Anemia was a risk factor for coronary involvement (OR = 3.09, 95%CI: 1.79- 5.34, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Significant number of children with MIS-C had cardiovascular involvement contributing to higher ICU management. Although shock resolved quickly, resolution of ventricular function and coronary abnormalities were slower, and hence warrants a structured long-term follow-up protocol.