Update on Diagnosis and Management of Kawasaki Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness mainly affecting children under 5 and is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in developed countries. It can result in coronary artery dilation and aneurysms in 25% of untreated cases. This update highlights key clinical data since the 2017 American Heart Association statement on KD, focusing on diagnosis, cardiac imaging during acute treatment, and long-term management.
New criteria identify high-risk North American patients who may require more intensive initial treatment. Advances in cardiovascular imaging have improved the detection of coronary artery stenosis, yet questions remain about the optimal frequency and best modalities for imaging those at risk for myocardial ischemia.
Additionally, recent insights have refined the safety and dosing of anti-inflammatory therapies, while discussions include new anticoagulation medications, myocardial infarction management, and future research directions.