Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Restrictive Cardiomyopathy in a 3-Year-Old Patient

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a rare form of cardiomyopathy in children, representing only 2.5%-3% of all pediatric cardiomyopathies, and is typically diagnosed between the ages of 6 and 10. The underlying etiology varies depending on age and region; however, idiopathic, genetic, and endomyocardial fibrosis are among the most common. Cohort studies have demonstrated mortality as high as 50% within 2 years of diagnosis, as well as high rates of adverse events including thromboembolism, pulmonary hypertension, and sudden cardiac death. There is a paucity of literature on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for the diagnosis of pediatric restrictive cardiomyopathy. We present a case of a 3-year-old female whose diagnosis of heart failure was rapidly identified via POCUS which subsequently expedited life-saving treatment.