Diagnosis, Treatment, and Long-Term Management of Kawasaki Disease: A Scientific Statement for Health Professionals From the American Heart

Brian W. McCrindle , Anne H. Rowley , Jane W. Newburger , Jane C. Burns , Anne F. Bolger , Michael Gewitz , Annette L. Baker , Mary Anne Jackson , Masato Takahashi , Pinak B. Shah , Tohru Kobayashi , Mei-Hwan Wu , Tsutomu T. Saji , and Elfriede Pahl and On behalf of the American Heart Association Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis, and Kawasaki Disease Committee of the Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia; and Council on Epidemiology and Prevention

March 2017

This paper provides revised American Heart Association guidelines, delivered by a multidisciplinary writing group of experts who reviewed and appraised available evidence and sought expert opinion to provide updated recommendations for diagnosis, treatment of the acute illness, and long-term management. Although the cause remains unknown, discussion sections highlight new insights into the epidemiology, genetics, pathogenesis, pathology, natural history, and long-term outcomes. Prompt diagnosis is essential, and an updated algorithm defines supplemental information to be used to assist the diagnosis when classic clinical criteria are incomplete.

These recommendations provide updated and best evidence-based guidance to healthcare providers who diagnose and manage Kawasaki disease, but clinical decision making should be individualized to specific patient circumstances.

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