A descriptive retrospective record review of paediatric patients with intracardiac thrombi associated with dilated cardiomyopathy at Chris Hani Baragwanath academic hospital
Date
2016-02-09
Authors
Morar, Deksha Faye
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Abstract
Intracardiac thrombi associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in paediatric patients can be a source of significant morbidity and mortality. This study looked at the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of children complicated by intracardiac thrombi, following a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy at a tertiary centre.
METHODS
A retrospective review of all children, between the ages of 1 and 14 years, diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy from August 1983 to July 2011 were assessed using the paediatric cardiology database at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. The study population comprised of 303 children.
RESULTS
The prevalence of intracardiac thrombi in the children with dilated cardiomyopathy was 13.2% (40 children). The majority were located in the left ventricle (80%). The children who developed intracardiac thrombi had a lower fractional shortening compared to the group without intracardiac thrombi (p≤0.05). 20 of these children (6.6%) had evidence of embolization (15/20 to the central nervous system). 52 of the 303 children were HIV positive (17.2%). There was no statistically significant association between HIV status and the development of intracardiac thrombi (p = 0.19). The overall mortality was 8.9%. 12 of the 27 deaths occurred in the intracardiac thrombi group showing that the children with intracardiac thrombi had a poorer outcome (p≤0.05).
CONCLUSION
Intracardiac thrombi is a common occurrence in paediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. There is a significant relationship between the development of intracardiac thrombi and a poor fractional shortening. Patients with echocardiographic evidence of intracardiac thrombi have a worse outcome.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Paediatrics
Johannesburg, 2014