Clinical And Histopathologic Study Of Surgically Excised Mitral Valves In Children

Abstract

The present study aims to interpret the histological changes observed in surgically excised mitral valves, and to how those changes relate to the clinical criteria of valve failure. A retrospective study was performed on 25 children patients with RHD, who had mitral valve surgery between 2000 and 2004 at the GOTHI hospitals. A highly significant association was present between absence of Aschoff nodules and atrial fibrillation (p=0.0070). Mitral calcification was significantly associated with atrial fibrillation (p=0.0050), followed by double mitral dysfunction (p=0.0142). Valvular endothelial ulcerations were significantly associated with mitral stenosis (p=0.0129) and double mitral dysfunction (p=0.0100). Rheumatic heart disease continues to be an important cardiac problem afflicting the young population of Egypt. The disease has a definite effect on mitral valve microanatomy. Clinical-pathologic correlation is important in evaluating the extent of valvular affection.