Variations in Macrophage Activation Syndrome-associated Cardiac Diseases: A Report on Two Cases

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis characterized by an excessive systemic inflammatory response, is a life-threatening and rare disease. Cardiovascular damage is a common and severe complication of the disease, however, it is easily ignored and not well studied. Herein, we report two cases of patients with MAS-associated heart damage and review the clinical characteristics, mechanism, and treatment. Case 1 along with systemic lupus erythematosus and Kikuchi necrotizing lymphadenitis occurred in fatal acute heart failure, and case 2 complicated adult-onset Still’s Disease began with atrial fibrillation and had some improvement with the treatment of high dose corticosteroids. MAS-associated heart damage is a critical issue in clinical settings, and the etiology and mechanisms of MAS-associated cardiovascular diseases are likely multifactorial. The manifestations were various and high levels of the cytokines and cardiac damage may contribute to poor prognosis. Therefore, early intensive immunosuppressive therapy probably improves the treatment outcome.