Echocardiographic patterns rheumatic heart disease : a study from a specialized heart clinic

الملخص EN

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important contributor to cardiovascular disease in children and adults in Yemen.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) continues to cause gross distortions of the heart and the associated complications of heart failure and thromboembolic phenomena in this age.

Different valvular damages can cause real health problems for the affected persons by the disease.

males (63.4 %, vs.

36.6 %).

The study shows that RHD was found more common in the age group 20-30 years.

According to the valve lesions mitral valve is mostly affected(65.4 %), followed by mixed valve lesions (22.9 %).Mitral stenosis was found to be more common (47.8 %).

Conclusion: A significant proportion of RHD patients present to hospital with severe disease associated with severe complications of advanced heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, infective endocarditis and atrial fibrillation.

Valve replacement done for some patients.

There is a need to improve awareness of the disease among the population, and clinical suspicion in primary health workers, so that early referral to specialist management can be done before severe damage to the heart ensues.

Aims: To describe the presenting features of Rheumatic Heart Disease patients attended specialized heart clinic.

Methods : Echocardiographic data of patients attended this specialized clinic during the period of 3 years from January, 2009 to December, 2012 were analyzed.

Two hundred and five patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria for RHD were found.

Results : Of the total 205 patients with RHD females were found to be more common than males (63.4%, vs.

36.6%).

The study shows that RHD was found more common in the age group 20-30 years.

According to the valve lesions mitral valve is mostly affected(65.4%), followed by mixed valve lesions (22.9 %).Mitral stenosis was found to be more common (47.8 %).

Conclusion : A significant proportion of RHD patients present to hospital with severe disease associated with severe complications of advanced heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, infective endocarditis and atrial fibrillation.

Valve replacement done for some patients.

There is a need to improve awareness of the disease among the population, and clinical suspicion in primary health workers, so that early referral to specialist management can be done before severe damage to the heart ensues.