Abstract

Background: Valvular heart disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in India. Echocardiography (ECHO) remains the gold standard for diagnosis and periodic assessment of patients with valvular heart disease. This study was conducted to illustrate the pattern of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) among the patients attending the tertiary care center in Bareilly (India). Objectives: The objectives of the study was to study type and severity of valvular heart disease attending the tertiary care center in Bareilly (India).
Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in 1345 patients of RHD between 10 and 70 years of age. The type and degrees of valvular involvement on transthoracic ECHO were defined according to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2006 guidelines.
Results: Majority of the patients had mitral regurgitation (705 [52.41%]) followed by tricuspid regurgitation (595 [44.23%]). Mitral stenosis was found in 343 (25.50%), aortic stenosis in 19 (0.014%), and transferrin saturation in 9 (0.0067%) patients. Valvular regurgitation was more than valvular stenosis. Mixed valvular disease was most prevalent in the mitral valve in (314 [23.33%]), followed by aortic (40 [2.99%]) and tricuspid valves (5 [0.371%]). Juvenile RHD (patients <20 years of age) was seen in 181 patients including 93 males and 88 females. Conclusion: The high prevalence and severity of RHD in rural India need effective prophylactic measures to ensure a symptom-free life span for the patient. Recurrences of rheumatic fever are higher in patients with RHD and further episode further damages the heart. ECHO plays an important role for early detection of RHD and monitoring of medical therapy.