Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease is a serious ailment with significant morbidity and mortality in endemic areas; yet, there is no agreement on indication, timing, and surgical modality for treating rheumatic valve affection. There is mounting evidence that rheumatic mitral valve repair is possible with good long-term results, less is the case with rheumatic aortic valve disease. We discuss the surgical approach for both valves emphasizing the role of multimodality imaging.
Highlights
Affecting >1% of the population in endemic countries, rheumatic heart valve disease is responsible for the death of over 300,000 patients every year [1]
We review our recent developments toward perfecting the results of rheumatic valve repair with particular emphasis on the role of multimodality imaging
More difficult than in degenerative mitral valve disease, rheumatic mitral valve repair is certainly possible with good outcomes, both in the short and long term, especially in young patients with isolated mitral regurgitation or stenosis [7,8,9]
Summary
Ahmed Afifi 1*, Nairouz Shehata 1, Mohamed Nagi 1, Abdel Rahman Sultan 1 and Magdi Yacoub 1,2. Rheumatic heart disease is a serious ailment with significant morbidity and mortality in endemic areas; yet, there is no agreement on indication, timing, and surgical modality for treating rheumatic valve affection. There is mounting evidence that rheumatic mitral valve repair is possible with good long-term results, less is the case with rheumatic aortic valve disease. We discuss the surgical approach for both valves emphasizing the role of multimodality imaging. Imperial College London, United Kingdom Theodor Fischlein, Nürnberg Hospital, Germany. Heart Valve Disease, a section of the journal Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.
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