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Acute myocarditis and ventricular fibrillation as initial presentation of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus

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Abstract

Acute myocarditis and ventricular arrhythmia are rarely seen as the initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in children. We reported the case of a 12-year-old girl with congestive heart failure, acute myocarditis and pericardial effusion as a primary manifestation of SLE. Sudden cardiovascular collapse due to ventricular fibrillation (VF), ventricular tachycardia (VT) and cardiac tamponade occurred. After resuscitation and pericardiocentesis, frequent VF/VT refractory to anti-arrhythmic therapy was supported by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Early diagnosis and a combination treatment for heart failure, arrhythmias and immunosuppression may result in a favorable outcome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan

    Chi-Nan Huang, Hsin-Hui Yu, Shuenn-Nan Chiu, Jyh-Hong Lee, Li-Chieh Wang, Yao-Hsu Yang & Bor-Luen Chiang

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  1. Chi-Nan Huang
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  2. Hsin-Hui Yu
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  3. Shuenn-Nan Chiu
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  4. Jyh-Hong Lee
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  5. Li-Chieh Wang
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  6. Yao-Hsu Yang
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  7. Bor-Luen Chiang
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Correspondence to Bor-Luen Chiang.

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Huang, CN., Yu, HH., Chiu, SN. et al. Acute myocarditis and ventricular fibrillation as initial presentation of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatol Int 33, 1093–1096 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-011-2240-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-011-2240-0

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