Myocardial infarction due to coronary thrombosis in a patient with Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Cardiac involvement and cardiovascular risk factors in pediatric primary systemic vasculitides

Pediatric primary systemic vasculitides are a complex group of diseases. Vasculitis subgroups are mainly determined according to the size of the predominantly affected vessels. In patients with primary systemic vasculitis, the location of vascular involvement, the size of the vessels, the extent of vascular damage, and the underlying pathology determine the disease phenotype and severity. Cardiac involvement is rare in some pediatric vasculitis, such as IgA vasculitis and polyarteritis nodosa, while it is more common in some others like Kawasaki disease and Takayasu arteritis. On the other hand, chronic inflammation in the setting of systemic vasculitis forms a major cardiovascular risk factor. Accelerated atherosclerosis and the tendency to thrombosis are the main issues determining the cardiovascular risks in pediatric systemic vasculitis. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in these patients to minimize morbidity and mortality. In this review, we aimed to raise physicians' awareness of cardiac involvement and cardiovascular risks in pediatric patients with primary systemic vasculitis.

Multisystemic manifestations of IgA vasculitis

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV), also known as Henoch-Schönlein Purpura, is one of the most common kind of systemic vasculitis in children, and due to the involvement of small blood vessels throughout the body, this disease can cause a variety of symptoms in different organs. Our aim was to review the data on various systemic manifestations of IgAV. A research of the literature was performed in PubMed database, utilizing the MeSH terms "IgA vasculitis" and "Henoch Schönlein Purpura". According to the predetermined structure of the manuscript, we extracted and sorted out the relevant data. Clinically, almost all the patients will present with palpable skin purpura, together with arthritis, gastrointestinal tract involvement, or kidney damage. Other rare systemic manifestations include neurological symptoms, scrotal involvement, and cardiopulmonary disease. When uncommon complications occur, patients may be misdiagnosed as other diseases, thus delaying treatment. Although the course of IgAV is mostly self-limited, misdiagnosis can also lead to a poor prognosis. A comprehensive awareness to the clinical manifestations of IgAV is the necessary prerequisite for its timely diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential for optimal results.

Cardiovascular, thromboembolic and renal outcomes in IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura): a retrospective cohort study using routinely collected primary care data

BACKGROUND

IgA vasculitis (IgAV, Henoch-Schönlein purpura) is a small-vessel vasculitis most common in children but also occurring in adults. Case series have suggested that IgAV may be associated with cardiovascular disease and venous thromboembolism, but this has not been evaluated in population-based studies. Renal disease and hypertension are possible complications of the disease with unknown incidence.

METHODS

Using a large UK primary care database, we conducted an open retrospective matched cohort study of cardiovascular, venous thrombotic and renal outcomes in adult-onset and childhood-onset IgAV. Control participants were selected at a 2:1 ratio, matched for age and sex. Adjusted HRs (aHRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

2828 patients with adult-onset IgAV and 10 405 patients with childhood-onset IgAV were compared with age-matched and sex-matched controls. There was significantly increased risk of hypertension (adult-onset aHR 1.42, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.70, p < 0.001; childhood-onset aHR 1.52, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.89, p < 0.001) and stage G3-G5 chronic kidney disease (adult-onset aHR 1.54, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.93, p < 0.001; childhood-onset aHR 1.89, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.07, p=0.010). There was no evidence of association with ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease or venous thromboembolism. All-cause mortality was increased in the adult-onset IgAV cohort compared with controls (aHR 1.27, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.50, p=0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IgAV are at increased risk of hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with individuals without IgAV; analysis restricted to adult-onset IgAV patients showed increased mortality. Appropriate surveillance and risk factor modification could improve long-term outcomes in these patients.

A case of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura with dilated coronary arteries

BACKGROUND

Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) is one of the most common vasculitides of childhood, with 10-20 cases per 100,000 children. It frequently occurs following an infectious trigger and involves IgA and C3 deposition in small vessel walls. HSP is characterized by palpable purpura plus IgA deposition on biopsy, arthritis/arthralgia, renal involvement (hematuria and/or proteinuria), and/or abdominal pain. It is not generally recognized as a cause of dilated coronary arteries.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe the first reported case of HSP presenting with dilated coronary arteries. This patient is a nine-year-old previously healthy Caucasian male who presented with 1 week of petechiae on his lower legs, knee and ankle arthritis, and abdominal pain without fever, consistent with HSP. An echocardiogram revealed coronary dilation, including the left main (5.32 mm, Z score + 4.25) and left anterior descending (LAD) (3.51 mm, Z score + 2.64) coronary arteries. He received high dose aspirin, IVIG, and infliximab with normalization of the LAD. Skin biopsy revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis with positive IgA staining. He was Rhinovirus/Enterovirus positive with Group A Streptococcus on throat culture.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac findings, while rare, can exist in HSP. Coronary dilation appeared to respond to our hospital protocol's Kawasaki Disease (KD) therapy, possibly indicating an overlap in HSP and KD pathophysiology. This case, along with prior reports of dilated coronaries in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA), highlights the importance of considering other sources of systemic inflammation, in addition to KD, when coronary dilation is identified. The appropriate therapy, follow-up, and prognosis for our patient are not clear, as further studies are needed to determine the natural course of these findings.

Severe Mitral Regurgitation in a Child With Henoch-Schönlein Purpura and Pulmonary Hemorrhage

Introduction: Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common vasculitis of childhood. The classic triad of HSP consists of nonthrombocytopenic purpura, arthritis/arthralgia, and gastrointestinal complaints. Pulmonary hemorrhage and cardiac involvement are rare complications of HSP. Case Report: We report the case of a 10-year-old girl with HSP complicated by both severe mitral regurgitation and pulmonary hemorrhage. Discussion: HSP is typically a self-limited illness with an excellent prognosis in children. Pulmonary hemorrhage is a rare complication that increases morbidity and mortality; it generally indicates the presence of severe vasculitis. Cardiac involvement in HSP is extremely rare and associated with a poor prognosis. Conclusion: Cardiac involvement in HSP may be more common than believed. Because of the increased morbidity and mortality associated with HSP complicated by pulmonary hemorrhage and cardiac involvement, it is important for clinicians to be aware of these potential complications.

Thrombosis warning in children suffering from henoch-schonlein purpura

Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) is one of the most common types of vasculitis in children. The characteristic clinical manifestations include non-thrombocytopenic purpura, arthritis or arthralgia, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal hemorrhage and renal abnormalities. Thrombosis has been reported as, a rare complication of HSP. We present the case of a 14-year-old boy who was diagnosed with HSP and suspected superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. We reviewed the relevant literature and found eight similar reported cases. HSP is associated with thrombosis and HSP itself and some risk factors may result in thrombosis. We suggest that physicians should monitor patients with HSP who are at a higher risk of developing thrombosis more closely.