Cardiac involvement in congenital acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
L. J. Steinherz, J. A. Brochstein and J. Robins
Cardiac abnormalities have been reported in 25% to 73% of adult patients
with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We are reporting the
clinical course of a child with congenital AIDS who developed similar
cardiac complications. He presented with congestive heart failure three
months after the diagnosis of AIDS. He had cardiomegaly demonstrated on
chest roentgenogram, which was previously normal. He had left ventricular
hypertrophy and T-wave abnormalities on electrocardiography and left
ventricular dysfunction and dilatation on echocardiography. His subsequent
echocardiogram continued to show poor contractility, although his
congestive symptoms were stabilized with digitalis therapy and diuresis.
After a year of maintenance therapy with digitalis, he developed right
ventricular and right atrial enlargement and tricuspid valve thickening and
nodularity, similar to the valvular changes reported in adults. Thus,
children with AIDS should be monitored for cardiac complications.
