Newly diagnosed rheumatic heart disease among indigenous populations in the Pacific.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains the leading acquired heart disease in the young worldwide. We aimed at assessing outcomes and influencing factors in the contemporary era.

Methods

Hospital-based cohort in a high-income island nation where RHD remains endemic and the population is captive. All patients admitted with newly diagnosed RHD according to World Heart Federation echocardiographic criteria were enrolled (2005-2013). The incidence of major cardiovascular events (MACEs) including heart failure, peripheral embolism, stroke, heart valve intervention and cardiovascular death was calculated, and their determinants identified.

Results

Of the 396 patients, 43.9% were male with median age 18 years (IQR 10-40)). 127 (32.1%) patients presented with mild, 1

SUBMITTER: Mirabel M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4680122 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature