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Extreme hyperthermia-induced arrhythmogenesis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 September 2021

Tripat Kaur
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Comer Children’s Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
Chenni S. Sriram
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Central Michigan University, Detroit, MI, USA
Utkarsh Kohli*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Comer Children’s Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA The Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University Children’s Hospital, Morgantown, WV, USA West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
*
Author for correspondence: U. Kohli, MD, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, WVU Children’s Hospital, Health Science Center North, PO Box 9214, Morgantown, WV 26506-9214, USA. Tel: 304-293-1419; Fax: 304-293-1409. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract

Hyperthermia is defined as an elevated body temperature above the normal range due to a failure of heat regulatory mechanisms. In addition to its effects on other organ systems, hyperthermia is associated with profound cardiovascular effects. We report the sentinel case of a 6-year-old girl with structurally and electrically normal heart, who presented with life-threatening hyperpyrexia-induced ventricular tachycardia, which was refractory to cardioversion and anti-arrhythmics but responded promptly to cooling. We emphasise the lifesaving role of immediate and aggressive cooling in such patients.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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