Dilated cardiomyopathy (DC) is a progressive dilatation and impaired contractility of the left or both ventricles. Predisposing factors may involve familial/genetic, viral infection, autoimmune, nutritional deficit, iron overload, chronic anaemia and drugs.1

Sharratt et al. reported in 1986 the first case of DC in a patient with epidermolysis bullosa (EB).2 Since then, the clinical association of EB and DC has been described in several case reports and case series.2–6

A 6-year-old child with severe generalized recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Treatment with daily cures and moisturizing was made. Her brother, her twin sister and her parents had no relevant medical history. The patient had enteral nutrition by a gastrostomy since 2 years ago. She had chronic anaemia treated with intravenous iron and periodic transfusions were required.

The patient was referred to the Emergency Department due to respiratory distress and influenza-like syndrome for four days.

Her general condition was bad. Her temperature was 36.4°C, blood pressure 100/50mmHg, heart rate 125 bpm, and oxygen saturation of 94% with room air. Cutaneous examination showed generalized erosions and syndactalia on her hands with a severe functional limitation (Figures 1, 2).

Figure 1.

generalized erosions on her trunk and gastrostomy.

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Figure 2.

generalized erosions on her trunk.

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Electrocardiogram presented diffuse changes in repolarization. Chest radiograph revealed the presence of cardiomegaly and acute pulmonary oedema (Figure 3).

Figure 3.

cardiomegaly and findings of acute pulmonary oedema.

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Echocardiogram showed severely dilated left ventricle with ejection fraction of 40%, mild tricuspid insufficiency and moderate pulmonary insufficiency.

The biochemical parameters showed glucose 113mg/dL, C-reactive protein 120mg/L, total proteins 9.8g/dL, haemoglobin 9.2g/dL, mean corpuscular volume 91.4 fl, 578000 platelets/mm3, 15300 leucocytes/mm3 (polymorphonuclear leucocytes 72.6%, lymphocytes 17.4%, monocytes 7.8%, eosinophils 2.1%, basophils 0.1%). Blood cultures were negative.

The patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with a diagnosis of DC, congestive heart failure, acute pulmonary oedema and cardiogenic shock.

Treatment with high flow oxygen therapy, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, enalapril, carvedilol and aspirine was initiated. The patient presented clinical improvement after 2 months of treatment. However, she had progressive worsening and was followed up by the palliative care unit. Sshe died due to multiple organ failure nine months later.