In‐depth cardiovascular and pulmonary assessments in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: A case series study

Abstract

We assessed PET-CT myocardial blood flow (MBF) using N-13 ammonia, brachial flow-mediated dilation, and cardiopulmonary exercise test in five post-discarged MIS-C survivors. None of the patients (median age: 9, range: 7-18 years; 3 females; 2 males) had preexisting pediatric chronic conditions. At the follow-up visit, two patients exhibited severe perfusion defect developed in the left ventricular cavity, suggesting extensive myocardial ischemia (MBF <2.0) and one patient showed persistent mild pericardial effusion. Others two patients demonstrated endothelial dysfunction. Nevertheless, all patients had lower predicted values in the VO2peak, VO2VAT, OUES, and O2 Pulse (range: 35.2%–64.5%; 15.6%–38.2%; 1.0–1.3 L/min; 4–7 ml/beat), respectively. Our d suggested that previously health MIS-C patients had impaired MBF, endothelial dysfunction and lower cardiopulmonary capacity at follow-up analysis. Multidisciplinary further investigations should be conducted to reinforce these findings.