Kawasaki Disease: Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Management

• Published in: Current rheumatology reports Vol. 16; no. 6; p. 423
• Main Authors: Dimitriades, Victoria R., Brown, Amanda G., Gedalia, Abraham
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01-06-2014
• Subjects: Coronary Aneurysm - etiology; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous - therapeutic use; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome - diagnosis; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome - drug therapy; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome - etiology; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome - physiopathology; Rheumatology; Risk Factors; Section Editor; Topical Collection on Vasculitis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - antagonists & inhibitors; Vasculitis (Lr Espinoza; Clinical manifestations; Corticosteroids; Pathophysiology; Coronary artery; Aneurysm; Immunoglobulin; Management; Kawasaki disease; Vasculitis; Treatment; Etiology; IVIg resistance; Diagnosis
• ISSN: 1523-3774; 1534-6307
• DOI: 10.1007/s11926-014-0423-x

Kawasaki Disease, a systemic vasculitis of unknown origin with specific predilection for the coronary arteries, is the most common cause of childhood-acquired heart disease in western countries. Despite its world-wide incidence, the pathophysiology of this enigmatic disease is still under investigation. Diagnosis is made on a clinical basis, with supportive laboratory evidence and imaging. Once identified, timely initiation of treatment is imperative in order to quell the inflammatory response and decrease the incidence of long-term sequelae, specifically coronary artery aneurysms. Finally, longitudinal follow-up should be implemented based on risk stratification and individualized to each patient.