Should we be afraid of long-term cardiac consequences in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome? Experience from subsequent waves of COVID-19

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess and compare short- and long-term cardiac complications of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) by predominant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants throughout the pandemic. The analysis of prospectively collected data comparing cardiac complications of MIS-C during and after hospitalization across the original/alpha, delta, and omicron waves. Cardiac complications were defined as cardiac failure with systolic function impairment or hypotension or abnormalities in echocardiographic findings (decrease in LVEF, FS, valvular insufficiency, pericardial effusion, or coronary artery abnormalities). A total of 120 patients with MIS-C admitted to the Children's Hospital of Krakow between November 1, 2020, and May 5, 2023, were included in the study (74 during original/alpha dominance, 31 delta, and 15 omicron). Patients in the omicron group were found to be younger than those in the alpha and delta groups (37 vs. 75 vs. 80 months, p = 0.03). The frequency of cardiac failure with systolic function impairment or hypotension was diagnosed more frequently in the original/alpha and delta groups than in the omicron group (44.59% vs. 41.94% vs. 13.33%, p = 0.08) also echocardiographic abnormalities changed, with rates of 60.8%, 35.5%, and 13.3% (p < 0.001) accordingly. The multivariable regression revealed an older age (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.07-1.33, p = 0.002) as the only independent factors of cardiac failure with systolic function impairment or hypotension. In all patients, signs of cardiac failure resolved during the hospitalization. Moreover, in 98.3% of patients, all echocardiagraphic abnormalities resolved completely during the observation period. Conclusion: The cardiac complications of MIS-C appeared to advance less severely in younger children during the Omicron outbreak. In long-term observation, symptoms of cardiac failure resolve completely. Similarly, also echocardiographic abnormalities normalize in the vast majority of patients. What is Known: • Knowledge about the long-term cardiac complications of MIS-C is still evolving and uncertain. • The greatest concern of MIS-C is cardiac complications, including cardiac failure and coronary artery dilatation. What is New: • Long-term observations revealed complete resolution of cardiac complications in the vast majority of patients with MIS-C, irrespective of the dominant variant. • Cardiac complications of MIS-C were less common in younger children during subsequent pandemic waves in our patient population.

Keywords: Cardiac complications; Coronary artery aneurysm; Multisystem inflammatory syndrome; SARS-CoV-2; Variants of concern.