An Overview of Pathogenesis, Complications and Management of Rheumatic Heart Disease

Abstract

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is damage of the heart valves due to acute rheumatic fever (ARF) which results from the body's autoimmune response to Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus bacteria) infection which is a throat infection. Acute rheumatic fever is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the developing countries although the incidence has decreased in North America, Europe and developed countries over the past 4 to 6 decades. The clinical symptoms of ARF which occurs approximately two to four weeks after S. pyogenes infection. The most common clinical manifestations of ARF are carditis and arthritis, followed by chorea and then subcutaneous nodules and erythema marginatum.

Patient With RHD Ec MR Severe, MS Moderate And Trombus In LV, When We Do The Surgeom In Cut Meutia Regional General Hospital

“…In developing countries, acute rheumatic fever become one of the most important causes of cardiovascular events. 1 Rheumatic carditis incorporates a range of lesions, counting pericarditis and valvulitis amid clinical or subclinical ARF; there is a transition from rheumatic carditis to RHD, with chronic valvular lesions that advance yearly after ≥1 ARF episodes. Progressive valvular disease usually develops in the years after ≥1 ARF episodes, in spite of ARF is recognized only in 30% to 50% of cases.…”