Cardiovascular involvement in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children with COVID-19

In children, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections typically result in a less severe coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) presentation than in adults. However, a subset of children presents with severe multisystem inflammation associated with recent SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 exposure in the previous weeks. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has termed this condition a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). MIS-C causes significant cardiovascular involvement, which can be a determinant of clinical course and outcomes. A subset of MIS-C patients presents with hypotension and shock either from acute myocardial dysfunction or systemic vasodilation, with at least of third of patients developing cardiac manifestations from the illness. In addition, myocarditis, pericarditis, valvular regurgitation, coronary artery involvement, and arrhythmias have been reported, with a smaller subset of patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Here, we report our institutional experience of MIS-C over the last year and present a narrative review of cases reported in the literature. In addition, we discuss the clinical protocol of diagnosis and acute and follow-up management of these patients with MIS-C.