Difficult questions of Kawasaki syndrome treatment

Aim. To summarize the existing literature data and to optimize protocols of anticoagulant therapy for Kawasaki syndrome.

Methods. A review of treatment results in 10 patients with Kawasaki syndrome, where an individual approach to anticoagulation led to a positive result, and surgical treatment was not required, is presented.

Results. In 5 of 6 patients with timely diagnosis and treatment according to the protocol, transient ectasia of coronary arteries with further normalization of their size within 4-7 months of follow up was detected. In one child on the 12th day of the disease small aneurysms of the right and left coronary arteries were identified. They disappeared after 7 months from the debut of the disease. In 3 patients, diagnosis and treatment have been delayed. In this group, a giant aneurysm of the proximal left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery with the signs of thrombosis was discovered in a child aged 9 months on the 45th day of the disease. Anticoagulation with heparin with further switching to dalteparin sodium (Fragmin) was accompanied by adequate anticoagulation to the 3rd day of treatment. Aneurysms decreased to 2-4 mm without signs of thrombosis after 24 months of treatment with warfarin in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin). In a girl of 1 year and 4 months of age, on the 20th day of the disease, it was complicated by exudative pericarditis with high risk for tamponade, which required a pericardial puncture and catheterization, and a giant aneurysm of the right coronary artery with the signs of thrombosis was found on the 45th day of the disease. Adequate anticoagulation was reached on the 3rd day of treatment with dalteparin sodium (Fragmin). Long-term use of warfarin in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) was continued. At follow-up at 4 months aneurysm of the right coronary artery has not decreased, but the size and the density of the blood clot reduced significantly. A year later, the aneurysm decreased to 5-6 mm without signs of thrombosis. At the next case of a 3 year old child, who was treated according to the treatment standards, ectasia of the right and left coronary arteries was revealed on the 14th day of treatment, disappearing after of long-term use of acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin).

Conclusion. At further development of standards and following up antithrombotic treatment in patients with the complicated forms of Kawasaki disease, the possibility of individual treatment adjustment based on the detection of thrombophilia genetic markers, which increase the risk for thrombotic complications, should be considered.