Predictors of Unfavourable Outcomes in Children and Adolescents Submitted to Surgical Mitral Valvuloplasty Secondary to Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease / Preditores de Desfecho Desfavorável em Crianças e Adolescentes Submetidos à Valvoplastia Mitral Cirúrgica Secundária a Cardiopatia Reumática Crônica

Abstract Background: Mitral valve repair in paediatric patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease is superior to valve replacement and has been used with good results. Objective: To identify predictors of unfavourable outcomes in children and adolescents submitted to surgical mitral valvuloplasty secondary to rheumatic heart disease. Methods: Retrospective study of 54 patients under the age of 16 operated at a tertiary paediatric hospital between March 2011 and January 2017. The predictors of risk for unfavourable outcomes were: age, ejection fraction, degree of mitral insufficiency, degree of pulmonary hypertension, presence of tricuspid insufficiency, left chamber dilation, preoperative functional classification, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, duration of anoxia, presence of atrial fibrillation, and duration of vasoactive drug use. The outcomes evaluated were: death, congestive heart failure, reoperation, residual mitral regurgitation, residual mitral stenosis, stroke, bleeding and valve replacement. For all analyzes a value of p < 0.05 was established as significant. Results: Of the patients evaluated, 29 (53.7%) were female, with an average of 10.5 ± 3.2 years. The functional classification of 13 patients (25%) was 4. There was no death in the sample studied. The average duration of extracorporeal circulation was 62.7±17.8 min, and anoxia 50 ± 15.7 min. The duration of use of vasoactive drug in the immediate postoperative period has an average of 1 day (interquartile interval 1-2 days). The logistic regression model was used to evaluate the predictive variables for each unfavourable outcome. The duration of use of vasoactive drug was the only independent predictor for the outcomes studied (p = 0.007). Residual mitral insufficiency was associated with reoperation (p = 0.044), whereas tricuspid insufficiency (p = 0.012) and pulmonary hypertension (p = 0.012) were associated with the presence of unfavourable outcomes. Conclusion: The duration of vasoactive drug use is an independent predictor for unfavourable outcomes in the immediate and late postoperative period, while residual mitral regurgitation was associated with reoperation, and both tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension were associated with unfavourable outcomes.

Resumo Fundamento: A plastia da valva mitral, em pacientes pediátricos com cardiopatia reumática crônica, é superior à troca valvar e vem sendo utilizada com bons resultados. Objetivo: Identificar variáveis preditoras de desfecho desfavorável em crianças e adolescentes submetidos à valvoplastia mitral cirúrgica secundária à cardiopatia reumática. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo em 54 pacientes menores de 16 anos, operados em um hospital pediátrico terciário entre março de 2011 e janeiro de 2017. As variáveis preditoras de risco para desfecho desfavorável foram: idade, fração de ejeção, grau de insuficiência mitral, grau de hipertensão pulmonar, presença de insuficiência tricúspide, dilatação de câmaras esquerdas, classe funcional no pré-operatório, tempo de circulação extracorpórea, tempo de anóxia, presença de fibrilação atrial e tempo de uso de droga vasoativa. Os desfechos avaliados foram: morte, insuficiência cardíaca congestiva, reoperação, insuficiência mitral residual, estenose mitral residual, acidente vascular cerebral, sangramento e troca valvar. Para todas as análises foi estabelecido valor de p < 0,05 como significante. Resultados: Dos pacientes avaliados, 29 (53,7%) eram do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 10,5 ± 3,2 anos. A classe funcional de 13 pacientes (25%) foi 4. Não houve morte na amostra estudada. O tempo médio de circulação extracorpórea foi de 62,7 ± 17,8 minutos e de anóxia 50 ± 15,7 minutos. O tempo de uso de droga vasoativa no pós-operatório imediato teve mediana de 1 dia (intervalo interquartil 1-2 dias). O modelo de regressão logística foi utilizado para avaliar as variáveis preditoras para o desfecho desfavorável. O tempo de uso de droga vasoativa foi o único preditor independente para os desfechos estudados (p = 0,007). A insuficiência mitral residual foi associada à reoperação (p = 0,044), enquanto a insuficiência tricúspide (p = 0,012) e a hipertensão pulmonar (p = 0,012) se associaram à presença de desfechos desfavoráveis. Conclusão: O tempo de uso de droga vasoativa é um preditor independente para desfechos desfavoráveis no pós-operatório imediato e tardio, enquanto insuficiência mitral residual se associou à reoperação e tanto a insuficiência tricúspide quanto a hipertensão pulmonar foram associadas a desfechos desfavoráveis.

Orejuela izquierda en la enfermedad reumática mitral: principal fuente embolígena en la fibrilación auricular / Left atrial appendage in rheumatic mitral valve disease: The main source of embolism in atrial fibrillation

Resumen: Objetivo: Demostrar que la resección quirúrgica de la orejuela izquierda en los pacientes con enfermedad reumática mitral y fibrilación auricular persistente de larga evolución disminuye la posibilidad de embolia cerebral. Asimismo, esto también elimina la necesidad de anticoagulación oral a largo plazo. Método: Se estudiaron en forma observacional y prospectiva 27 pacientes adultos con enfermedad reumática mitral y fibrilación auricular persistente de larga evolución, sometidos a cirugía valvular mitral y resección quirúrgica de la orejuela izquierda. La anticoagulación oral con warfarina fue suspendida después del tercer mes postoperatorio, recibiendo solamente aspirina a largo plazo. El punto final fue la ausencia de embolia cerebral. Secundariamente, se evaluó la formación de trombos en la aurícula izquierda por ecocardiografía transtorácica postoperatoria. Resultados: Después del tercer mes, ningún paciente presentó embolia cerebral. Un paciente exhibió isquemia cerebral transitoria dentro de los primeros 3 meses en tratamiento con warfarina. Secundariamente, en la cirugía se encontró trombo en aurícula izquierda en 11 casos (40.7%). De estos 11, 6 (54.5%) habían tenido embolia cerebral previamente, sin encontrar significación estadística (p = 0.703). Conclusiones: Este estudio muestra que pudiera haber indicios de que la orejuela izquierda pueda ser la principal fuente embolígena en la enfermedad reumática mitral, y que su resección pueda eliminar el riesgo de embolia cerebral en pacientes con enfermedad reumática mitral y fibrilación auricular persistente de larga evolución.

Abstract: Objective: To demonstrate that surgical removal of the left atrial appendage in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and long standing persistent atrial fibrillation decreases the possibility of stroke. This also removes the need for long-term oral anticoagulation after surgery. Method: A descriptive, prospective, observational study was conducted on 27 adult patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and long standing persistent atrial fibrillation, who had undergone mitral valve surgery and surgical removal of the left atrial appendage. Oral anti-coagulation was stopped in the third month after surgery. The end-point was the absence of embolic stroke. An assessment was also made of postoperative embolism formation in the left atrium using transthoracic echocardiography. Results: None of the patients showed embolic stroke after the third post-operative month. Only one patient exhibited transient ischaemic attack on warfarin therapy within the three postoperative months. Left atrial thrombi were also found in 11 (40.7%) cases during surgery. Of these, 6 (54.5%) had had embolic stroke, with no statistical significance (P = .703). Conclusions: This study suggests there might be signs that the left atrial appendage may be the main source of emboli in rheumatic mitral valve disease, and its resection could eliminate the risk of stroke in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Evolução Doppler Ecocardiográfica das Lesões Valvares Mitral e Aórtica em Crianças e Adolescentes com Cardite Reumática Subclínica e Leve / Doppler Echocardiographic Follow-Up of Mitral and Aortic Regurgitation in Children and Adolescents with Subclinical and Mild Rheumatic Carditis

Fundamento: As cardites reumáticas leve e subclínica se diferenciam basicamente pela ausculta de sopro regurgitativo mitral. A evolução destas formas não está bem estabelecida na literatura. Objetivo: Avaliar a evolução das cardites reumáticas leve e subclínica, considerando as valvites mitral e/ou aórtica (fase aguda) e a regressão, manutenção ou piora delas ao final do seguimento (fase crônica). Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, longitudinal, incluindo pacientes com cardites reumáticas leve e subclínica. A evolução ecocardiográfica das valvites mitral e/ou aórtica foi comparada nos dois grupos, considerando a análise ao final do seguimento. Foram utilizados o teste qui quadrado e as curvas de sobrevida de Kaplan-Meier, com nível de significância p < 0,05. Resultados: Foram incluídos 125 pacientes, sendo 69 (55,2%) com cardite reumática subclínica e 56 (44,8%) com cardite reumática leve, com média de idade na fase aguda de 10,4 ± 2,6 anos e, ao final do estudo, de 19,9 ± 4,6 anos. O tempo de seguimento variou de 2 a 23 anos (média: 9,38 ± 4,3 anos). Na fase aguda, a regurgitação mitral leve/ moderada ou moderada foi mais frequente nos pacientes com cardite reumática leve (p = 0,001). A regurgitação aórtica leve ou leve/moderada também foi mais comum no grupo de cardite reumática leve (p = 0,045). Na fase crônica, observou-se que tanto a regurgitação mitral (p < 0,0001) quanto a regurgitação aórtica (p = 0,009) foram mais frequentes nos pacientes com cardite reumática leve, e a sobrevida livre de valvopatia residual foi maior no grupo de cardite reumática subclínica (p = 0,010). A regurgitação mitral residual foi maior no grupo de cardite reumática leve p < 0,0001), e a regurgitação aórtica residual foi semelhante nos dois grupos (p = 0,099). Conclusão: A resolução da regurgitação mitral foi maior nos pacientes com cardite reumática subclínica, e a involução da regurgitação aórtica foi menos frequente e semelhante nos dois grupos

Background: Mild rheumatic carditis (MRC) and subclinical rheumatic carditis (SRC) are basically differentiated through auscultation of mitral regurgitation murmur. The evolution of these forms is not well established in the literature. Objective: To evaluate the evolution of mild and subclinical rheumatic carditis, considering mitral and aortic regurgitation (acute phase) and regression, maintenance or worsening of these diseases at the end of follow-up (chronic phase). Methods: Retrospective, longitudinal study, including patients with mild and subclinical rheumatic carditis. The echocardiographic evolution of mitral and aortic regurgitation was compared in both groups, considering the analysis at the end of follow-up. The Chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used, with significance level established at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 125 patients were included, 69 (55.2%) with subclinical rheumatic carditis and 56 (44.8%) with mild rheumatic carditis, with a mean age in the acute phase of 10.4 ± 2.6 years and, at the end of study, 19.9 ± 4.6 years. The time of follow-up ranged from 2 to 23 years (mean: 9.38 ± 4.3 years). In the acute phase, mild/moderate or moderate mitral regurgitation was more frequent in patients with mild rheumatic carditis (p = 0.001). Mild or mild/moderate aortic regurgitation was also more common in the mild rheumatic carditis group (p = 0.045). In the chronic phase, we observed that both mitral (p < 0.0001) and aortic regurgitation (p = 0.009) were more frequent in patients with mild rheumatic carditis, and survival free of rheumatic heart disease was higher in the subclinical rheumatic carditis group (p = 0.010). Residual mitral regurgitation was higher in the mild rheumatic carditis group p < 0.0001), and residual aortic regurgitation was similar in both groups (p = 0.099). Conclusion: Mitral regurgitation resolution was higher in patients with subclinical rheumatic carditis, and the involution of aortic regurgitation was less frequent and similar in both groups

Treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation during surgery for rheumatic mitral valve disease

Abstract Introduction: The result of surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation remains controversial, although prospective and randomized studies have shown significant differences in the return to sinus rhythm in patients treated with ablation versus control group. Surgery of the Labyrinth, proposed by Cox and colleagues, is complex and increases the morbidity rate. Therefore, studies are needed to confirm the impact on clinical outcomes and quality of life of these patients. Objective: To analyze the results obtained in the treatment of atrial fibrillation by surgical approach, by Gomes procedure, for mitral valve surgery in patients with rheumatic heart disease associated with chronic atrial fibrillation. Methods: We studied 20 patients with mitral valve dysfunction of rheumatic etiology, evolving with chronic atrial fibrillation, submitted to surgical treatment of valvular dysfunction and atrial fibrillation by Gomes procedure. Results: The mean duration of infusion ranged from 65.8±11.22 and aortic clamping of 40.8±7.87 minutes. Of 20 patients operated, 19 (95%) patients were discharged with normal atrial heart rhythm. One (5%) patient required permanent endocardial pacing. In the postoperative follow-up of six months, 18 (90%) patients continued with regular atrial rhythm, one (5%) patient returned to atrial fibrillation and one (5%) patient continued to require endocardial pacemaker to maintain regular rhythm. Conclusion: Gomes procedure associated with surgical correction of mitral dysfunction simplified the surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and persistent atrial fibrillation. The results showed that it is a safe and effective procedure.

Dilatación aneurismática de la aurícula izquierda / Giant left atrium

Mujer de 48 años con síntomas progresivos de disnea, fatiga, disfagia, edema de miembros inferiores, palpitaciones y disminución de su capacidad física que le obligan a buscar atención médica. La radiografía de tórax muestra cardiomegalia grave o <

Woman 48 years old with progressive dyspnea, fatigue, dysphagia, lower limb edema, palpitations and decreased physical ability that made her to seek medical attention. The chest film showed severe cardiomegaly or <

In-hospital Mortality in Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease Undergoing Double Valve Replacement / Mortalidade Intra-Hospitalar em Pacientes com Cardiopatia ReumáticaSubmetidos a Dupla-Troca Valvar

A cardiopatia reumática é um importante problema de saúde pública. Há escassez de dados sobreinfluência de variáveis cirúrgicas na mortalidade de pacientes reumáticos submetidos dupla-troca valvar (DTV).Objetivo: Identificar possíveis variáveis cirúrgicas associadas à mortalidade de pacientes reumáticos submetidos à DTV.Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de corte transversal, incluindo 104 pacientes >18 anos, com diagnóstico prévio devalvopatia reumática, submetidos à cirurgia de DTV no período de janeiro de 2007 a dezembro de 2011. A coletade dados utilizou os prontuários de pacientes do Hospital Ana Nery, Salvador, BA, Brasil.Resultados: Observou-se diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos do desfecho (óbito intra-hospitalar/alta hospitalar) em relação às variáveis, respectivamente: tempo de anoxia (minutos) de 149,17±40,99 e 123,99±24,12(p=0,001); tempo de CEC 185,53±54,59 e 157,34±34,62 (p=0,006); e o tempo cirúrgico total 350,29±56,69 e 295,23±63,98(p=0,002). Os pacientes que realizaram outro procedimento associado à DTV, no mesmo tempo cirúrgico,apresentaram maior mortalidade (n=10; 31,2%), em relação aos que realizaram apenas a DTV (n=9; 12,8%) (p=0,027).Houve também associação significativa na comparação de pacientes com reabordagem cirúrgica com aqueles querealizaram única abordagem (p<0,001). Não houve diferença estatística quando se comparou desfecho hospitalare os tipos de próteses utilizadas (p=0,219). Conclusões: As variáveis cirúrgicas que tiveram influência na mortalidade foram: tempos de anoxia, de CEC, de cirurgia total, com possíveis pontos de corte, respectivamente, de 150 min, 100 min e 300 min. A necessidade de reabordagemno pós-operatório hospitalar e a realização de outro procedimento no mesmo ato também mostraram significância...

Rheumatic heart disease is a major public health issue. Data on the influence of surgical variables in mortality in rheumatic patients undergoing double valve replacement (DVR) are scarce. Objective: Identify potential surgical variables associated with mortality in rheumatic patients undergoing DVR. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study including 104 patients over 18 years, previously diagnosed with rheumatic heart-valve disease, and undergoing DVR surgery from January 2007 to December 2011. Data collection: medical records of patients from HospitalAna Nery, Salvador, Brazil.Results: Outcome groups (in-hospital death vs. hospital discharge) had a significant statistical difference in relation to variables, respectively:anoxia time (in minutes) of 149.17±40.99 and 123.99±24.12 (p=0.001); CPB time 185.53±54.59 and 157.34±34.62 (p=0.006); and totalsurgical time 350.29±56.69 and 295.23±63.98 (p=0,002). Patients who underwent another procedure associated with DVR for the same surgical time showed higher mortality rates (n=10; 31.2%) compared to those who underwent DVR only (n=9, 12.8%) (p=0.027). There was also a significant association when comparing patients with surgical rapprochement with those who underwent one surgery only(p<0.001). There was no statistical difference between hospital outcome and the types of prostheses used (p=0.219). Conclusions: The surgical variables that influenced mortality were: anoxia, CPB and total surgical times, with potential cutoff points of 150, 100 and 300 minutes, respectively. The need for rapprochement during the in-hospital postoperative period, and the performance of another associated procedure in the same surgery were also significant...

Emergency mitral valve replacement for acute severe mitral regurgitation following balloon mitral valvotomy: Pathophysiology of hemodynamic collapse and peri-operative management issues.

Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) following balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV) needing emergent mitral valve replacement is a rare complication. The unrelieved mitral stenosis is compounded by severe MR leading to acute rise in pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular afterload, decreased coronary perfusion, ischemia and right ventricular failure. Associated septal shift and falling left ventricular preload leads to a vicious cycle of myocardial ischemia and hemodynamic collapse and needs to be addressed emergently before the onset of end organ damage. In this report, we describe the pathophysiology of hemodynamic collapse and peri‑operative management issues in a case of mitral valve replacement for acute severe MR following BMV.

Giant pulmonary artery aneurysm in a patient with rheumatic mitral stenosis

Pulmonary artery [PA] aneurysm is a rare condition, frequently associated with pulmonary hypertension. However, the evolution and treatment of this pathology is still not clear. We report a case of a 45-year-old female patient with giant PA aneurysm associated with rheumatic mitral stenosis and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. The patient had undergone balloon mitral valvotomy around 7 years back; aneurysm was first identified 3 years back during routine follow-up. The PA aneurysm size, however, had remained almost unchanged with associated severe pulmonary regurgitation. Surgical correction was advised but denied by the patient. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of such a large PA aneurysm in association with rheumatic heart disease. Although medical therapy for pulmonary hypertension was started, surgical correction of the aneurysm was advised in order to prevent the future complications

Febre reumática – patogênese e vacina / Rheumatic fever – pathogenesis and vaccine

Há um amplo espectro de doenças causadas por estreptococos do grupo A (GAS), e estas são consideradas um problema de saúde pública em países em desenvolvimento, com aproximadamente 600 milhões de casos/ano. As infecções causadas por GAS podem ocasionar doenças invasivas como faringite e pioderma com seqüelas auto-imunes graves como a febre reumática (FR) e glomerulonefrite. A FR acomete principalmente crianças e jovens, inicia com poliartrite na maioria dos casos. Tem como sequelas principais a coreia de Sydenham e a doença reumática cardíaca (DRC), considerada a forma mais grave da doença e caracterizada por lesões cardíacas valvares progressivas e permanentes, que necessitam de cirurgias cardíacas para correção valvular, com alto custo para os Sistemas de Saúde, no mundo. A presente revisão descreve os principais mecanismos desencadeadores das lesões reumáticas no coração e o desenvolvimento da vacina contra o Streptococcus pyogenes para prevenção das principais sequelas decorrentes das streptococcias.

Group A streptococci (GAS) infections are considered a public health problem in developing countries, with about 600 million cases per year and are responsible for an wide spectrum of diseases, mainly invasive diseases as pharyngitis and pyoderma that lead to rheumatic fever (RF) and glomerulonephritis autoimmune sequelae. RF affects children and young adults, and presents differentmanifestations such as rheumatic heart disease (RHD), Sydenham chorea, erythema marginatum, subcutaneousnodules. RHD is considered the most serious complications leading to cardiac valvular lesions characterized byprogressive and permanent heart-valve damage, which entails high cost to the Healthy System around the world. In the present review we described the mechanisms that lead to rheumatic heart lesions and the development of avaccine against Streptococcus pyogenes.

Iatrogenic hemorrhage from left umbilical vein after cardiac surgery: An unusual complication.

Postoperative bleeding is a concern for all patients undergoing heart surgery, which could be due to surgical causes or coagulation disorder. The patients at risk for coagulopathy include those patients with complex or prolonged procedures, those exposed to preoperative anticoagulants and, to a lesser extent, patients with a preoperatively elevated prothrombin time and activated clotting time. However, intraabdominal bleeding after cardiac surgery is rare (0.3-2%). As the mortality rate of patients exposed to these complications is high (11-59%), timely recognition and prompt management is vital for patient's safety and for avoidance of postoperative complications. Here, we present a case of free intraabdominal hemorrhage as sequelae of pacing wire insertion in open heart surgery and its successful management.

Anestesia para gestante cardiopata / Anaesthesia for the obstetric patient with cardiac disease

A doença cardíaca permanece como causa frequente de morte durante a gravidez. A cardiopatia mais frequente durante a gravidez é a reumática, seguida pela congênita. No Brasil, a cardiopatia chagásica é a terceira causa de doença cardíaca durante a gravidez. As alterações cardiovasculares da gravidez associadas às doenças cardíacas têm significativo impacto no binômio materno-fetal, resultando em comprometimento tanto para a mãe como para o feto. Essas alterações acentuam-se durante o trabalho de parto, parto e puerpério imediato, acarretando interações importantes com a anestesia. A anestesia peridural contínua e o bloqueio combinado raqui-peridural utilizando soluções de bupivacaína ou ropivacaina associada a fentanil ou sufentanil são técnicas seguras para parto vaginal. Para cesariana, tanto o bloqueio combinado como a anestesia peridural contínua, com indução lenta em bolus, são técnicas seguras. A anestesia geral deve ser reservada para as pacientes graves com classe funcional IV, hipertensão pulmonar grave, coarctação da aorta, e estenose aórtica e mitral grave. O período de pós-parto imediato é o período de maior risco. As pacientes graves devem permanecer monitorizadas e sob vigilância, independentemente da via do parto e da técnica anestésica.

Epidemiology of infective endocarditis in Chennai, South India.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the endocardial surface of the heart. Despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, mortality rates remain high. Data on the prevalence, epidemiology and etiology of IE from India are sparse. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, microbiological, and echocardiographic characteristics of IE patients in Chennai, south India. Materials and Methods: Patients were classified based on modified Duke criteria. Details of the clinical profile of the patients and laboratory data were recorded. Blood cultures were performed to establish the etiology. Results: Ninety six percent of patients had native valve endocarditis. Mitral valve was the most commonly affected valve. Conclusion: Rheumatic heart disease was the most common predisposing factor and fever was the most common clinical feature. Viridans group streptococci accounted of the culture positive cases.

Type and severity of valvular involvement in pediatric rheumatic heart disease patients

To assess frequency and severity of type of valvular involvement in pediatric patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease. This descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Cardiology Children Hospital Complex, Multan from April 2008 to April 2010. The data of all pediatric patients below 15 years of age undergoing detailed cardiac evaluation including ECG, X-Ray and Echocardiography were reviewed. Only new cases of Rheumatic Heart Disease were studied for type and severity of valvular involvement. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 13. A total of 2381 echocardiograms were performed during the study period. 190 [08%] patients were diagnosed as having Rheumatic Heart Disease. Mitral regurgitation was the commonest lesion: In 148 [77.9%] patients mitral regurgitation was found either alone [104, 54.7%] or in combination [44, 23.2%] with other lesions. In 50 [26.3%] patients aortic regurgitation was found either alone [06, 3.2%] or in combination [44, 23.2%] with other lesions. Mitral stenosis was found in only 14 [7.4%] patients. No patient had Rheumatic tricuspid or pulmonary valve. Amongst mitral regurgitation patients 54 [28.4%] had severe MR, 76 [40%] had moderate MR and 18 [9.5%] had mild MR. Amongst aortic regurgitation patients 06 [3.2%] had severe AR, 18 [9.5%] had moderate AR and 26 [13.7%] had mild AR. The commonest combination lesion was MR + AR which was found in 44 [23.2%] patients. The commonest valve involved in patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease was mitral valve followed by aortic valve. Regurgitant lesions are much more common in our younger age group patients as compared to the adult Rheumatic patients in whom mitral stenosis is usually the common lesion

Echocardiographic Features of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Lagos

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a global scourge; resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Our aim is to report on the prevalence; and complications of RHD; as documented by echocardiography in a Nigerian tertiary health facility. We performed a retrospective study of RHD patients; who had trans-thoracic echocardiography studies within the 2 year period of January 1st 2001-December 31st 2002. Data obtained included age; sex and echocardiographic diagnoses; and parameters. Of the 987 patients; 53 had chronic RHD; thus; the prevalence was 5.4. Male female ratio was 1: 1.8 and their average age was 30.1 years. Commonest indication for study was congestive heart failure (68). One; two and three valves were affected in 45 (85); 7 (13); and 1 (2) respectively. Valves involved were mitral - 49 (93); aortic - 18.6; and tricuspid 2 (7.5) respectively. Mixed mitral stenosis/regurgitation (42) was the commonest lesion; and complications included right ventricular overload (20); thromboembolic risk (20); and heart failure (70). RHD is still prevalent in Lagos; Nigeria and associated with grave complications. Valvular involvement remains unchanged as the mitral valve still is the most commonly affected valve but there seems to be an increasing prevalence of mixed mitral valve disease thus making management more challenging. Comprehensive hospital registers for rheumatic heart disease and community based studies are needed to establish the current prevalence

Abordagem do Flutter atrial na urgência: relato de caso / Approach of atrial flutter in the emergency: case report

O flutter atrial é uma arritmia que ocorre predominantemente em portadores de cardiopatia. Este artigo relata o caso de paciente portador de cardiopatia reumática com duas trocas de valvas (aórtica e mitral), a última delas ocorrida há 10 anos, com palpitações e congestão sistêmica. A suspeição inicial foi de taquicardia paroxística supraventricular (TPSV), tendo sido tentada a cardioversão com adenosina, sem sustentação. O eletrocardiograma (ECG) foi revisto, e o diagnóstico estabelecido foi de flutter atrial. A cardioversão elétrica foi realizada nove dias após sua admissão, tendo sido obtida a sustentação do ritmo sinusal.

Atrial flutter is an arrhythmia that occurs predominantly in patients with previous heart disease. This article reports the case of a patient with rheumatic heart disease and with two exchanged valves, the aortic and mitral, and the last exchange procedure took place ten years ago, with the placement of metallic prostheses. The first diagnosis was paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) and it was attempted cardioversion with adenosine, without success. The electrocardiogram (ECG) was revised and atrial flutter was diagnosed. Electrical cardioversion was performed after 9 days in hospital, and the rhythm was sustained.