Are minor echocardiographic changes associated with an increased risk of acute rheumatic fever or progression to rheumatic heart disease?

Rémond, Marc, Atkinson, David, White, Andrew, Brown, Alex, Carapetis, Jonathan, Remenyi, Bo, Roberts, Kathryn, and Maguire, Graeme (2015) Are minor echocardiographic changes associated with an increased risk of acute rheumatic fever or progression to rheumatic heart disease? International Journal of Cardiology, 198. pp. 117-122.

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DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.07.005

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2015....

Abstract

Background: The World Heart Federation criteria for the echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include a category "Borderline" RHD which may represent the earliest evidence of RHD. We aimed to determine the significance of minor heart valve abnormalities, including Borderline RHD, in predicting the future risk of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) or RHD.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 8 to 18 years was conducted. Cases comprised children with Borderline RHD or other minor non-specific valvular abnormalities (NSVAs) detected on prior echocardiography. Controls were children with a prior normal echocardiogram. Participants underwent a follow-up echocardiogram 2.5 to 5 years later to assess for progression of valvular changes and development of Definite RHD. Interval diagnoses of ARF were ascertained.

Results: There were 442 participants. Cases with Borderline RHD were at significantly greater risk of ARF (incidence rate ratio 8.8, 95% CI 1.4-53.8) and any echocardiographic progression of valve lesions (relative risk 8.19, 95% CI 2.43-27.53) than their Matched Controls. Cases with Borderline RHD were at increased risk of progression to Definite RHD (1 in 6 progressed) as were Cases with NSVAs (1 in 10 progressed).

Conclusions: Children with Borderline RHD had an increased risk of ARF, progression of valvular lesions, and development of Definite RHD. These findings provide support for considering secondary antibiotic prophylaxis or ongoing surveillance echocardiography in high-risk children with Borderline RHD.


Item ID:	41836
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1874-1754
Keywords:	rheumatic heart disease; echocardiography; screening; diagnosis; acute rheumatic fever
Funders:	Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence to Reduce Inequality in Heart Disease (NHMRC-CERIHD)
Projects and Grants:	NHMRC 1005951, NHMRC-CERIHD 1044897
Date Deposited:	08 Dec 2015 15:07
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1102 Cardiovascular Medicine and Haematology > 110201 Cardiology (incl Cardiovascular Diseases) @ 50% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111701 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health @ 50%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920103 Cardiovascular System and Diseases @ 33% 92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920302 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Health Status and Outcomes @ 33% 92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920303 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Health System Performance (incl. Effectiveness of Interventions) @ 34%
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