FULL RECOVERY OF A CHILD WITH FULMINANT MYOCARDITIS AFTER LEVOSIMENDAN THERAPY

MUSTAFA ARGUN, IŞIN SÖNMEZ, HASAN SAMSA, ONUR YİLMAZ, MUSTAFA YILMAZ

Journal of Clinical Practice and Research - 2021;43(5):505-507

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Health Sciences University Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri City Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey

 

Background: Fulminant myocarditis is a rare, life-threatening condition. Decompensated heart failure caused by fulminant myocarditis is managed with inotropic agents, mechanical ventilation, and mechanical circulatory support. Levosimendan is a novel inotropic agent that also has vasodilatory and cardioprotective properties. However, information about levosimendan use in children is limited in the literature. Case Report: We report the full recovery of a 3.5-year-old male patient with an inotrope-resistant heart failure treated with levosimendan therapy who was diagnosed as having fulminant myocarditis after presenting with acute decompensated heart failure and low cardiac output. Conclusion: Levosimendan therapy may offer an effective treatment for children with acute decompensated heart failure secondary to fulminant myocarditis resistant to standard therapy.