The Role of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Rheumatic Heart Disease

Abstract

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), an acquired valvular disease, remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. This chronic illness starts from untreated streptococcal throat infection, resulting in acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in susceptible individuals. Repeated infections lead to a chronic phase characterized by the damage of heart valves. Inflammation has been found to play important role in the development of this disease. All the studies presented in this review clearly show the involvement of the inflammatory state in the progression of this disease. However, the exact role of cytokines in inflammation sites remains to be examined, since most studies have so far focused on peripheral blood. Such analysis would provide information on inflammatory mechanisms in situ.

Echocardiographic Parameters and Complication Profiles Among Adult Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease at Jimma Medical Center

“…Rheumatic heart disease, a post-streptococcal complication of rheumatic fever (RF), is a disorder characterized by the impairment of one or multiple-heart valves, resulting in significant structural and hemodynamic abnormalities. 1 According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, the prevalence of RHD was 142.6 per 100,000 people in 2015, largely impacting low- and middle-income countries. 2 Despite the fact that patients with RF/RHD require early medical attention and follow-up, a significant number of patients in developing nations tends to present with debilitating complications such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and arrhythmias.…”