Hemodynamic alterations associated with polycythemia and partial exchange transfusion

Polycythemia hyperviscosity syndrome has been associated with multiple systemic effects. There is dearth of data on the effects of polycythemia on cardiac function. This case presents a newborn infant with symptomatic polycythemia in whom detailed myocardial function analysis for systolic and diastolic performance, as well as end-organ perfusion assessment was carried out using transthoracic echocardiography. Hemodynamic information in polycythemic infants before and after partial exchange could improve our understanding of the impact on myocardial performance.