Treating Pediatric Myocarditis with High Dose Steroids and Immunoglobulin

Abstract

There is considerable variability in practice among pediatric centers for treatment of myocarditis. We report outcomes using high dose steroids in conjunction with IVIG. This is a single center retrospective study of children < 21 years of age diagnosed with myocarditis and treated with high dose steroids and IVIG from January 2004-April 2021. Diagnostic criteria for myocarditis included positive endomyocardial biopsy, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging meeting Lake Louise criteria, or strictly defined clinical diagnosis. Forty patients met inclusion criteria. Median age at diagnosis was 11.6 years (0.7–14.6). Diagnosis was made clinically in 70% of cases (N = 28), by CMR in 12.5% (N = 5) and by biopsy in 17.5% (N = 7). Median ejection fraction (EF) at diagnosis was 35% (IQR 24–48). Median duration of IV steroids was 7 days (IQR 4–12) followed by an oral taper. Median cumulative dose of IV immunoglobulin (IVIG) was 2 g/kg. There were no serious secondary bacterial infections after steroid initiation. Ten patients (25%) required mechanical circulatory support. Overall transplant free survival was 92.5% with median follow-up of 1 year (IQR 0–6 years). Six patients required re-admission for cardiovascular reasons. By 3 months from diagnosis, 70% of patients regained normal left ventricular function. High dose steroids in conjunction with IVIG to treat acute myocarditis can be safe without significant infections or long-term side effects. Our cohort had excellent recovery of ventricular function and survival without transplant. Prospective comparison of a combination of high dose steroids with IVIG versus other therapies is needed.