Management of suspected myocarditis during critical-care transport

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2010 Jul;26(7):512-7. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e3181e5bfe1.

Abstract

Myocarditis and malignant dysrhythmias are unusual presentations in pediatric patients. We report a series of 4 patients with myocarditis and arrhythmia who presented to community emergency departments and were transported to a pediatric tertiary-care center. Three of the patients required extracorporeal life support. We discuss considerations for stabilization and transport: airway and ventilation, hemodynamic support, induction and sedation medication choices, transport decisions, and the traits of an ideal receiving center.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Critical Care
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Lyme Disease / complications
  • Lyme Disease / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Myocarditis / epidemiology
  • Myocarditis / microbiology
  • Myocarditis / therapy*
  • Patient Transfer*