Cardiology Kawasaki Disease Program
The Cardiology Kawasaki Disease Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is an inpatient and outpatient consultation service for Kawasaki patients who develop cardiac complications.
About the Cardiology Kawasaki Disease Program
Kawasaki disease causes inflammation of medium-sized blood vessels in the body. Children with the disease often experience prolonged fever with additional symptoms, including:
- Redness of the eyes
- Rash
- Swollen lymph node(s) in the neck
- Bright red tongue or chapped lips
- Swelling of the hands or feet
While these symptoms typically resolve on their own, Kawasaki disease requires specialized cardiac treatment to prevent long-term and potentially serious heart disease, such as coronary artery aneurysms. An aneurysm is an outpouching of the coronary vessel, which may develop a clot or a narrowing and limit blood flow to the heart muscle. Approximately 25% of children with Kawasaki disease develop such aneurysms if not treated in a timely manner.
Our experts
Our team members are leaders in the field of pediatric cardiology with a wealth of experience in treating Kawasaki disease with cardiac complications, including the Director of the Cardiac Anticoagulation and Thrombosis Program and the Director of the Coronary Anomaly Management Program.
We are a leading institution of the International Kawasaki Disease Registry, a collaboration of primarily pediatric cardiologists focused on learning more about Kawasaki disease in order to advance treatment and care.
What we offer
Our program offers in- and outpatient consultation services for patients with Kawasaki disease who develop cardiac complications.
We provide careful coordination of care by working closely with other specialties, including:
- Rheumatology
- General Pediatrics
- Infectious Disease
- Hematology
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Cardiac MRI
- Radiology