Figure 3. Associations between Initial Treatment with IVIG plus Glucocorticoids, or with IVIG Alone, and Clinical Outcomes.

Cardiovascular dysfunction was based on a composite of left ventricular dysfunction or shock that resulted in the use of vasopressors on or after day 2 after initial treatment. Left ventricular dysfunction was defined as an LVEF below 55%. Medications that met the study criterion of vasopressor use were dobutamine, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, or a combination of these. Adjunctive immunomodulatory therapy included a second dose of IVIG, glucocorticoids, or biologic treatment on or after day 1. Persistent or recurrent fever was defined as a body temperature of higher than 38.0°C on or after day 2.