Dengue Myocarditis

Authors

  • Eric Martínez Torres Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri. La Habana.

Keywords:

myocarditis; dengue; pediatric age

Abstract

Introduction: One of the possible locations of dengue virus infection is myocardial involvement. The cause may be the presence of the virus itself, an autoimmune cause, or a combination of both. The patient may present with a variety of clinical manifestations, ranging from being asymptomatic, experiencing chest pain and varying degrees of myocardial involvement, to experiencing severe, life-threatening forms such as fulminant myocarditis with cardiogenic shock and arrhythmia.

Objective: To present the clinical presentation and management of dengue myocarditis in a training setting.

Methods: It was diagnosed by elevated cardiac enzymes, such as creatine kinase and troponin, and by electrocardiography. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging resulted to be a valuable tool.

Results: Treatment of myocarditis includes the management of arrhythmias and heart failure. More recently, empirical treatment with intravenous glucocorticoids has been proposed in patients with cardiogenic shock or acute myocarditis complicated by heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, or severe atrioventricular block. Intravenous immune globulin therapy has been used in pediatric patients.

Conclusions: During a dengue outbreak or febrile cases without another diagnosis, myocarditis should be suspected if the clinical presentation includes sinus tachycardia, weak pulse, distal cyanosis, cold extremities, slowed capillary pulse, pallor, and repolarization disorders. It is diagnosed after clinical, laboratory, and electrocardiographic examinations. Management will depend on the presence of symptoms indicative of acute heart failure or arrhythmia.

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Author Biography

Eric Martínez Torres, Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri. La Habana.

Especialista 2º grado en Pediatría, Profesor Consultante, Investigador Titular y de Mérito.

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Published

2025-07-24

How to Cite

1.
Martínez Torres E. Dengue Myocarditis. Rev Cubana Pediatría [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 24 [cited 2025 Aug. 23];97. Available from: https://revpediatria.sld.cu/index.php/ped/article/view/7404