Kawasaki disease - A disease with anesthetic implications

Abstract

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an acute exanthematous disease affecting primarily infants and young children. In 17-30% of the patients, the myocardium, coronary arteries, and/or great vessels are involved significantly resulting in a mortality rate of about 2%. We describe one patient scheduled for cardiac catheterization and discuss the pathophysiology and usual clinical course of patients with Kawasaki disease.