After a period of relative neglect, there has been a resurging interest in rhd worldwide over the past decade. Criteria for echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic heart. If left untreated, it can cause permanent damage to the heart. They are grouped as primary valve diseases pvd if alteration arises on the valve apparatus or secondary if alteration is due to lesions in other structures. Evolving concepts regarding timing of valve surgery medical therapy and followup of valve disease emerging minimallyinvasive techniques of valve repairreplacement. The schematic shows a crosssection of a heart valve leaflet. Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever. Valvular heart diseases epidemiology and new treatment modalities abstract the valvular heart diseases vhd cause a great burden worldwide. Advances in both surgical and percutaneous techniques and a better understanding of timing for intervention accounts for the current increased rates of survival. Mitral stenosis is caused almost exclusively by rheumatic heart disease, and has a prevalence of about 0. Valvular heart diseases are a major burden to society and it is expected that the prevalence will increase. A rare case of rheumatic valvular heart disease with. Rheumatic heart disease is a chronic valvular heart disease resulting after severe or repetitive episodes of acute rheumatic fever, an autoimmune response to group a streptococcus infection 1.
Pdf acute rheumatic fever arf is the result of an autoimmune response to pharyngitis caused by infection with group a streptococcus. Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease 5 determinants of the disease burden of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease 7 references 8 3. Inadequately treated group a streptococcal pharyngitis inflammation of the pharynx, causing a sore throat can lead to. The heart valve damage may start shortly after untreated or undertreated streptococcal infection such as strep throat or scarlet fever. Patients with systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus typeii, congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, nonrheumatic valvular. Rheumatic heart disease rhd is a chronic and progressive form of damage to the heart valves resulting in dysfunction of the heart. Mitral regurgitation is significantly associated with normal aging, rising in prevalence with age.
Pdf acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. It is a disease caused by other ailments that then affect the heart. Rheumatic heart disease most commonly affects the mitral valve which has only two leaflets. The cardinal anatomic changes of the valve include leaflet thickening, commissural fusion, and shortening and thickening of the tendinous cords. Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease remain major global health problems. Mitral stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease in pregnancy. In patients with advanced valvular heart disease, mechanical approaches both percutaneous and surgical are well described and can, for selected patients, greatly improve outcomes. Rheumatic heart disease rhd is the most serious complication of rheumatic fever rf, which follows a group a streptococcal infection of the tonsillopharynx, and leads to an inflammatory reaction that involves many organs including the heart, joints, and central nervous system. Pathogenesis of rheumatic fever introduction streptococcal mprotein 14 streptococcal superantigens 14 the role of the human host in the development of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease 15. Rheumatic diseases affect your joints tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Pdf rheumatic heart disease worldwide researchgate. Clinical approach is paramount for evaluation of the patients history, symptoms and for the detection of vhd by auscultation. You will see both functional change and change in heart structure which can affect the mitral valve. Valvular aspects of rheumatic heart disease the lancet.
Rheumatic heart disease rhd is damage to one or more heart valves that remains after an episode of acute rheumatic fever arf is resolved. Guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease oxford. Aug 29, 2009 degenerative valve disease is the most common form of valvular heart disease in the united states, whereas rheumatic heart disease accounts for most valve pathology in developing nations. Valvular heart diseases epidemiology and new treatment. Rheumatic heart disease is a systemic immune process that is sequelae to a betahemolytic streptococcal infection of the pharynx. Recurrent bouts of rheumatic fever can lead to valvular heart disease. However, it is responsible for 250,000 deaths in young people worldwide each year. Both are common cardiovascular problems in nepal find. Rheumatic heart disease rhd remains a major cause of preventable death and disability in children and young adults. Bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart muscle and heart valves endocardium, is a cause of valvular heart disease. It is caused by an episode or recurrent episodes of arf, where the heart has become inflamed. Citation this slide set is adapted from the 2014 ahaacc guideline for the management of patients with valvular heart disease journal of the american college of cardiology. Valvular heart diseases in africa affect mainly children and young adults and are a result of rheumatic fever.
Due to lack of screening services, many patients present late, with severe valve disease. Chronic rheumatic heart disease rhd is characterized by repeated inflammation with fibrinous resolution. Mitral valve prolapse and endocarditis constitute the remaining frequent causes of valvular disease and are discussed briefly. Pdf pattern of heart valve involvement in rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that can develop as a result of inadequately treated strep throat or scarlet fever. Rheumatic heart disease is caused by rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can affect many connective tissues, especially in the heart, joints, skin, or brain. Pdf prheumatic heart disease is the most important consequence of acute rheumatic fever. While the natural history of this disease has been altered during the past 30 years by surgery and the frequent use of longterm anticoagulant therapy, wood 8 x 8 wood, p. Cardiovascular complications in newly diagnosed rheumatic heart. Rheumatic heart disease is more prominent in children and young adults. It is a complication of an autoimmune disorder called acute. Not everyone with rheumatic fever will go on to develop rheumatic heart disease. Valvular heart disease vhd is frequent is industrialized countries and its prevalence increases with age due to the predominance of degenerative aetiology. Rheumatic heart disease rhd is a preventable heart condition that remains endemic among vulnerable groups in many countries.
Basic pathophysiology of valvular lesions new classification of valvular heart disease selected special topics. Helmut baumgartner, division of adult congenital and valvular heart disease, department of cardiovascular medicine, university hospital muenster, albert schweitzer campus 1, building a1, 48149 muenster, germany. Rheumatic heart disease, often neglected by media and policy makers, is a major burden in developing countries where it causes most of the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in young people, leading to about 250 000 deaths per year worldwide. It usually occurs 1020 years after the initial illness. In chronic rheumatic heart disease mitral valve is affected. Heart complications may be longterm and severe, particularly if valves are involved.
The term heart disease covers any disorder of the heart and includes arrhythmia and myocardial infarction. Despite significant advances in medical technology and increased understanding. Among them are many types of arthritis, a term used for conditions that affect your joints sometimes theyre. The incidence of systemic embolism is greater in rheumatic mitral valve disease than in any other common form of heart disease. Rheumatic heart disease causes, symptoms, treatment. Heart disease causes 1 in every 4 deaths in the united states. The heart valves can remain stretched andor scarred, and normal blood flow through damaged valves is interrupted.
In uganda, the disease and its complications are still not well studied. The new face of rheumatic heart disease in south west nigeria. Acute rheumatic fever arf is the result of an autoimmune response to pharyngitis caused by infection with group a streptococcus. This lesson will discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis. Rheumatic heart disease rhd is common in developing countries with high prevalence among children and young adult that make social and. Rheumatic heart disease describes a group of shortterm acute and longterm chronic heart disorders that are caused by rheumatic fever. This can result in narrowing or leaking of the heart valve making it harder for the heart to function normally. Rheumatic heart disease rhd is the result of valvular damage caused by the abnormal immune response and develops 48 weeks or more after gas infection in 3045% of individuals with rf. In the valvular heart disease condition valvular stenosis, the tissues forming the valve leaflets become stiffer, narrowing the valve opening and reducing the amount of blood that can flow through it.
Valvular heart disease can be caused by valvular stenosis or valvular insufficiency. Comparative clinical characteristics of rheumatic heart disease. Over 15 million people have evidence of rheumatic heart disease. Pdf rheumatic heart disease rhd is a preventable heart condition that remains endemic. The heart valves can be inflamed and become scarred over time. Pattern of heart valve involvement in rheumatic heart disease. The disease results from an abnormal autoimmune response to a group a streptococcal infection in a genetically susceptible host. Epidemiology and prevention of valvular heart diseases and. When the heart doesnt get good blood and oxygen, the heart doesnt function properly. Although the initial attack can lead to severe valvular disease, rheumatic heart disease most often results from cumulative valve damage due to recurrent paucisymptomatic episodes of acute rheumatic fever, which suggests that it might be insidious at onset. Usually due to a critical stenosis, which becomes apparent when the heart needs greater blood flow. Diagnosis and management suman bhandari, k subramanyam, n trehan abstract valvular heart disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in india. Rheumatic fever rf and rheumatic heart disease rhd are nonsuppurative complications of group a streptococcal pharyngitis due to a delayed immune response. As the us population ages, physicians are likely to see more patients with degenerative valve disorders.
High blood pressure and atherosclerosis may damage the aortic valve. Feb 27, 2019 rheumatic heart disease rhd is a chronic and progressive form of damage to the heart valves resulting in dysfunction of the heart. Valvular heart disease in pregnancy american college of. Still, in developing countries, rheumatic heart disease remains the most common cause of valvular heart disease. Rheumatic fever is a preventable disease, but in africa the combination of a lack of resources, lack of infrastructure, political, social and economic instability, poverty, overcrowding, malnutrition and lack of political will contributes to the persistence of a high burden of. The recurrence of rheumatic fever is relatively common in the absence of maintenance of low dose antibiotics, especially during the first three to five years after the first episode. The longterm damage to cardiac valves caused by arf, which can result from a single severe episode or from multiple recurrent episodes of the illness. Valvular aspects of rheumatic heart disease request pdf. When this happens, the immune system responds abnormally with chronic inflammation and the gradual deposit of calcium crystals in and around the valves of the heart. Figure 2 or the aortic valve, but any valve can be affected, and more than one can be involved. If the narrowing is mild, the overall functioning of the. Rheumatic heart disease rhd, the only longterm consequence of acute.
Bicuspid aortic valve having only two leaflets rather than the normal three happens in about 1% to 2% of the population and is more common among men. Rheumatic and nonrheumatic valvular heart disease circulation. Rheumatic heart disease an overview sciencedirect topics. Rheumatic valve disease used to be the most prevalent etiology of valvular cardiac diseases worldwide. Rheumatic heart disease heart and stroke foundation. Feb 12, 2018 valvular heart disease due to rheumatic heart disease has declined, but it remains a prevalent cause of maternal cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in nonindustrialized nations and in immigrant populations. They should be essential in everyday clinical decision making. Possible pathogenic mechanisms in rheumatic heart disease. Esc clinical practice guidelines aim to present all the relevant evidence to help physicians weigh the benefits and risks of a particular diagnostic or therapeutic procedure on valvular heart disease. Congenital heart disease valvular heart disease rheumatic origin drug abuser artificial valves tis 2 endocarditis inflammation of the endocardium is marked by prominent involvement of the valvular surfaces. Although rf and rhd are rare in developed countries, they are still major public health problems among children and young adults in developing countries 16. Rheumatic heart disease eloi marijon, mariana mirabel, david s celermajer, xavier jouven rheumatic heart disease, often neglected by media and policy makers, is a major burden in developing countries where it causes most of the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in young people, leading to about 250 000 deaths per year worldwide. In this scientific expert panel, the authors summarize recent advances in the science of rhd and sketch out priorities for current action and future research.
Valvular heart disease management of esc guidelines. Rheumatic and nonrheumatic valvular heart disease aha journals. Usually bacterial or rarely fungal general considerations. The valvular heart disease which we face in our day to day hospital and private practice is due to chronic sequlae of rheumatic fever. Antithrombotic therapy in valvular heart disease chest. Although strategies for primary and secondary prevention are well established, their worldwide implementation is suboptimum. Valve disease valve surgery percutaneous valve intervention aortic stenosis mitral. A heart attack may damage the muscles that control the heart valves.
1397 1380 977 1199 815 490 391 1303 1321 1519 1424 316 1313 820 788 856 1155 1420 25 580 447 824 829 420 1296 1353 298 1355 82 67 359 565 919 304