Pattern of valvular lesions in rhematic heart disease and its complications in nwfp-a prospective echocardiographic study of 226 cases

ABSTRACT

To study the pattern of valvular lesions in rheumatic heart disease and assess its complications echocardiographically. Design: This is on observational prospective echocardiographic study of 226 cases of rheumatic heart disease studied between August and November 1996. Setting: A diagnostic Cardiology Centre in private sector, in Peshawar, NWFP, Pakistan. Findings: Two hundred and twenty six cases of rheumatic heart disease from all over North West Frontier Province, were studied echocardiographically. Simultaneous mitral and aortic valve lesions were seen in 45% cases. Isolated mitral or aortic valve involvement was uncommon. Regurgitant valvular lesion were twice as common as the stenotic lesions. Operated rheumatic heart disease were 3.98% of total cases. Conclusions: Rheumatic heart disease with multiple valvular lesions is a common medical problem. Echocardiography plays a vital role in the evaluation of these patients