Changes in the cardiovascular system in children with pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 - A single center experience

Background Pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (PIMS-TS) is a serious complication of a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in the group of pediatric patients. Despite the fact that this disease affects only about 1 of 1000 children, it may be severe, and changes in the cardiovascular system may cause long-term complications and the need for longitudinal patient care. Methods It is a single-center retrospective study considering 51 patients with PIMS-TS. The aim of this study was to analyze patients with PIMS-TS, taking into account demographic data, clinical course, laboratory tests and cardiovascular system assessment (electrocardiography, echocardiography, etc.). Results From June 2020 to October 2021, 51 patients with PIMS-TS were hospitalized in our center. In the studied group, 26/51 children (51%) were girls. The mean age of patients was 7 years. Changes in electrocardiograms were found in 21/51 patients. Echocardiography revealed pericardial fluid in most patients. In addition, heart valve insufficiency was found. Changes in the coronary vessels in the form of dilatations and even aneurysms were found in 42 patients. Myocardial hypokinesis was visualized in more than 1/4 of the patients. Sixteen patients (31.3%) required transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to severe hypotension. Laboratory tests revealed increased levels of markers of heart failure and enzymes of myocardial damage. Conclusions Changes in the cardiovascular system in the course of PIMS-TS are of various nature, but in most patients they require close cardiac supervision and long-term follow-up.