Is Prior Zika Virus Infection Associated With Cardiovascular Disease?

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is associated with severe complications. Recently, reports have raised the possibility of cardiovascular complications. However, the complications that are reported are in case reports and occur immediately after infection. Our aim is to evaluate the cardiovascular complications of ZIKV infection in a younger patient population. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort and included patients with a one-year history of prior confirmed ZIKV infection. We performed an echocardiogram, a 24-hour automated blood pressure, and a 24-hour Holter. Our primary outcome included a composite of having diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy, arrhythmias, valvular regurgitation, premature beats, or non-dipper status. RESULTS: We included 47 patients with ZIKV and 16 patients without ZIKV. Patients with ZIKV had a similar age as controls (p>0.05). Having had a prior ZIKV infection was associated with diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy, valvular regurgitation, arrhythmias or premature beats, and non-dipper status (p<0.05). The adjusted OR of having the primary outcome was 2.3; 95% CI 1.3-2.7. After one year, IL-10 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were higher in ZIKV-infected patients compared to controls (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that young patients with a prior ZIKV infection have more echocardiographic, arrhythmic, and blood pressure changes when compared to similar-aged controls.

Fístula arteriovenosa pial no galénica como causa de hipertensión pulmonar y falla cardiaca en un lactante / Non-galenic pial arteriovenous fistula as cause of pulmonary hypertension and heart failure in an infant

RESUMEN Las manifestaciones clínicas de las malformaciones vasculares intracraneanas en niños incluyen las derivadas de sangrados, así como las hemodinámicas que dependen del tamaño de la malformación. Algunas pueden consumir un alto porcentaje del gasto cardiaco, y llevar a falla cardiaca o a hipertensión pulmonar derivada del hiperflujo. Se presenta el caso de un lactante con hipertensión pulmonar y falla cardiaca que fue diagnosticada tardíamente, aunque con corrección endovascular dentro de la edad recomendada y buen desenlace neurológico. Se enfatiza en la necesidad de considerar las malformaciones vasculares intracraneales dentro del diagnóstico diferencial de niños con hipertensión pulmonar que no responden al tratamiento.

SUMMARY Clinical manifestations of intracranial vascular malformations in children include those derived from bleeding, as well as hemodynamic problems due to the size of some large malformations These may consume a high percentage of cardiac output, leading to heart failure, or pulmonary hypertension. We present the case of an infant with pulmonary hypertension and heart failure who was diagnosed late, but with endovascular correction within the recommended age, and had good neurological outcome. Emphasis is placed on the need to consider intracranial vascular malformations within the differential diagnosis of children with pulmonary hypertension who do not respond to treatment.