SEVERE LEFT-VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION AND ARRHYTHMIAS AS COMPLICATIONS OF GRAM-POSITIVE SEPSIS - RAPID RECOVERY IN CHILDREN

Severe left ventricular dilatation and dysfunction in children may be associated with poor outcome in as many as 45% of cases. The prognosis for children with poor left ventricular function or arrhythmias assoc iated with septic shock may be better, however, this has been inadequa tely studied. We report the favorable outcome of three children who pr esented with Gram-positive sepsis and significant cardiovascular compr omise-two with severely dilated, poorly contractile left ventricle, an d one with mild left ventricular dysfunction and incessant, malignant, and rapid atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, Our experience with the se patients shows that complete and rapid resolution of these complica tions may be achieved with aggressive therapy.