Acute Onset of Persistent Tachycardia in a Patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Madison Nation, MD¹, Megyn Beyer, DO², Margaret Ellis, DO, MSPH³, Nicholas M. Potisek, MD^4*

¹Pediatric Residency

^4*Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Winston-Salem, NC

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Case Report

A 10-year-old wheelchair dependent male with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, on chronic corticosteroid therapy, presented with persistent tachycardia. Two days prior to presentation he sustained a non-displaced right tibial metaphyseal fracture after a fall from his wheelchair. Later that same day he developed fever and described his “heart racing.” He additionally reported some mild chest tightness and a nonproductive cough. The review of systems was otherwise unremarkable.

On physical examination, his temperature was 38.3°, heart rate 149 beats per minute, respiratory rate 20 breaths per minute, normal blood pressure, oxygen saturation 93% on room air, and body mass index 40.36 kg/m². The patient was sitting comfortably in bed and was well-appearing. The lungs were clear to auscultation and there was no increased work of breathing. Cardiac examination revealed tachycardia without murmurs, gallops or rubs; peripheral pulses and capillary refill were normal. No petechiae or other rashes discovered. There was mild swelling of the right ankle with splint in place. The remainder of the physical examination findings were normal.

Initial evaluation included an electrocardiogram that was remarkable only for sinus tachycardia. A complete blood cell count demonstrated an elevated white blood cell count of 23.2 x10*3/uL and a complete metabolic panel was notable for an AST of 301 IU/L and ALT of 276 IU/L. A chest radiograph was normal. A respiratory viral panel, troponin, brain natriuretic peptide and echocardiogram were normal.

Despite two fluid boluses, the patient remained tachycardic prompting further evaluation. D-dimer returned elevated at 1541 NG/ML fibrinogen equivalent units (FEU) (with FDA approved cutoff for venous thromboembolism exclusion <500 NG/ML FEU). Computed tomography anigography revealed bilateral diffuse, scattered ground-glass opacities with areas of nodular consolidative opacities in a somewhat gravity-dependent pattern; there were multiple peripheral wedge-shaped arterial-distribution opacities with areas of interlobular septal thickening consistent with infarctions (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Multiple peripheral wedge-shaped arterial distribution opacities with areas of interlobular septal thickening consistent with infarts (arrows).

Final diagnosist

Fat embolism syndrome secondary to distal metaphyseal tibial fracture in a patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Hospital course

The treatment of pulmonary fat embolism is supportive and our patient received supplemental oxygen and pain medication as needed. Blood culture was negative at 24 hours. The patient’s hypoxia and tachycardia improved over 48 hours and he was discharged home with no additional sequelae.

Discussion

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is defined as the presence of fat globules in the peripheral circulation resulting in multi-organ dysfunction¹. FES is primarily a clinical diagnosis with classic presenting symptoms including respiratory distress, neurological alterations and/or a petechial rash^2,3. Respiratory symptoms range from mild hypoxia to acute respiratory failure. Neurological alterations can include lethargy, confusion, and coma. Additional symptoms may include fever, tachycardia, visual disturbances, and decreased to no urine output^1,4. Associated laboratory abnormalities include thrombocytopenia, anemia, and/or elevated inflammatory markers¹. Failure to recognize FES can result in severe complications or even death.

The majority of FES cases result from a recent fracture with the onset of symptoms typically occurs within 72 hours of the injury^1,3. FES is estimated to occur in 0.3-1.2% of patients with isolated fractures of the femur, tibia, or fibula; however, this is likely an underestimate^3,4. FES is more common in patients 10-39 years of age and occurs rarely in children below the age of 9 years, likely due to the marrow fat differences. Risk of FES varies with the number and location of fractures. Other orthopedic etiologies of FES include bone marrow aspiration/transplantation, orthopedic procedures, and intravenous lipid administration. Non-traumatic etiologies include osteomyelitis, pancreatitis, sickle cell disease, fatty liver disease, and diabetes mellitus³.

Numerous theories exist for the pathophysiology of FES. The mechanical theory suggests fat globules are released into the circulation and obstruct pulmonary or cerebral vasculature resulting in ventilation-perfusion mismatch or cerebral dysfunction^1,5.

The biochemical theory proposes the body generates fatty acids in response to stress causing endothelial and alveolar damage^1,5. Other theories involve the plasmatic level of lipase or coagulation in physiologic shock⁶. Symptoms are likely related to a combination of these theories.

The diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome is based on major and minor clinical criteria initially described by Gurd (Table 1)⁷.

Table 1: Gurd’s Criteria

Major features	Petechial rash Respiratory symptoms plus bilateral signs with positive radiographic changes Cerebral signs unrelated to head injury
Minor features	Tachycardia Pyrexia Retinal fat or petechiae Urinary fat globules or oligoanuria Sudden drop in Hg-level Sudden thrombocytopenia High erythrocyte sedimentation rate Fat globules in sputum
FES=1 major feature + 4 minor features + fat macroglobulinemia

Adapted from Talbot & Schemitsch

However, no universal FES definition exists. Gurd proposed FES could be diagnosed by one major criteria, four minor criteria, with the presence of fat macroglobulinemia⁷. Since several authors have adjusted the criteria with 2 major criteria, 1 major and 3 minor, 2 major and 2 minor, or 1 major and 2 minor being sufficient to establish a diagnosis of FES⁴. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest is helpful when the diagnosis is in question¹. CT is especially helpful in differentiating pulmonary thromboembolism or pneumonia from the fat embolism. FES is associated with ground-glass opacities with septal lines in a geographic distribution and centrilobular nodules¹. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is the imaging modality of choice to evaluate for emboli within the CNS when changes in mental status are present. MRI findings include multiple, nonconfluent, hyperdense lesions in a watershed distribution⁵. The degree of pulmonary and cerebral involvement is associated with disease severity¹.

Treatment is aimed at providing respiratory support, adequate hydration, vasopressor support, and management of increased intracranial pressure as indicated by the clinical presentation. Corticosteroid use has been proposed to ameliorate the inflammatory cascade that results from fat emboli. However, their utility has yet to be supported by the literature⁸. Anticoagulation has not been shown to be effective⁵.

Children who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) or sickle cell anemia are at increased risk for FES. Our patient met FES criterion with one major criteria of respiratory symptoms and radiographic findings along with fever and tachycardia. Research is primarily limited to case reviews and a recent systematic review, but there are several proposed theories exist to explain the increased incidence in children with DMD^9-13. The increased adiposity of subcutaneous and muscular tissue increases the risk of translocation of fat globules into the circulation¹⁴. Similar to our patient, children with DMD are typically on chronic steroid use increase the adiposity of bone marrow and results in osteopenia¹⁵. Osteopenia, immobility and muscular weakness increases the likelihood of fractures as well as decreases the severity of injury required³. The increased adiposity also likely increases the burden of fat globules circulating which therefore increases morbidity and mortality. Given the poorer outcomes, clinicians need to be able to identify clinical symptoms early so that they can provide aggressive supportive care. Similar to our case, FES should be considered when encountering persistent tachycardia unresponsive to therapy in the setting of a recent fracture. Recognition of FES is necessary as the presenting of symptoms of FES could easily be confused with progress respiratory or cardiac issues experienced by children with DMD.

Conclusion

Patients with DMD are at increased risk to develop FES, following less significant trauma. In addition, FES may have severe outcomes if not recognized in a timely fashion and must be considered in the differential for DMD children with recent trauma, and acute onset of respiratory symptoms or altered mental status.

References

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