INFLIXIMAB AS THE FIRST RETREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH KAWASAKI DISEASE RESISTANT TO INITIAL INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN

Abstract

Forty-three patients with Kawasaki disease who were resistant to initial intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) were randomized to receive either a second dose of IVIG (n = 32) or an infliximab (n = 11). With IVIG retreatment 21 patients (65.6%) responded, and with infliximab 10 patients (90.9%) responded. The infliximab group had shorter duration of fever and fewer days of hospitalization. Coronary artery outcomes and adverse events were similar.