Recurrent Fulminant Myocarditis Repeatedly Treated with Ecmo in a Child

Abstract Recurrent myocarditis is rare with only few reports having been published for paediatric cases. Repeated use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is also uncommon. In this paper we will present a very rare case of a 7-year old girl with recurrent fulminant myocarditis with heart failure requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation and mechanical circulatory support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Both episodes were precipitated by a viral upper respiratory tract infection, and in both cases the cardiac function eventually completely recovered. The second episode of fulminant myocarditis was particularly complex with markedly elevated markers of myocardiocytolysis, multiorgan dysfunction and the need for prolonged mechanical circulatory support. Nevertheless, the patient made a remarkable recovery. A comprehensive diagnostic workup pointed towards an aberrant immune response as the likely cause of the girl’s susceptibility for fulminant myocarditis.