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Understanding Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is a chronic condition resulting from repeated Acute Rheumatic Fever, primarily affecting low-income countries with over 40 million cases globally. The pathogenesis involves an autoimmune response triggered by streptococcal infections, leading to valvular damage, and diagnosis is based on the Jones Criteria. Management includes antibiotics and anti-inflammatory therapy in the acute phase, with surgical options available for severe cases, while global efforts focus on prevention and early detection.

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Irrfan jeilan
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10 views10 pages

Understanding Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is a chronic condition resulting from repeated Acute Rheumatic Fever, primarily affecting low-income countries with over 40 million cases globally. The pathogenesis involves an autoimmune response triggered by streptococcal infections, leading to valvular damage, and diagnosis is based on the Jones Criteria. Management includes antibiotics and anti-inflammatory therapy in the acute phase, with surgical options available for severe cases, while global efforts focus on prevention and early detection.

Uploaded by

Irrfan jeilan
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Rheumatic Heart Disease:

Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and


Global Strategies
• Presented by [Your Name]
• Institution/Organization (if applicable)
• Date: February 25, 2025

• Subtitle: A Journey from Streptococcus to


Valvular Damage
Understanding Rheumatic Heart
Disease
• • RHD is a chronic condition caused by
repeated or severe Acute Rheumatic Fever
(ARF).
• • Autoimmune-mediated valvular
inflammation leads to fibrosis and progressive
damage.
• • **Epidemiology:**
• - Affects over 40 million people globally.
• - Highest prevalence in low-income and
developing countries.
Pathogenesis of Acute Rheumatic
Fever
• • Streptococcal pharyngitis (GAS infection)
triggers an autoimmune response.
• • Molecular mimicry leads to cross-reactivity
between bacterial M-proteins and cardiac
tissues.
• • Immune-mediated damage causes
inflammation in heart valves, joints, brain, and
skin.
Diagnostic Criteria: Jones Criteria
• Jones Criteria (2015) is used to diagnose Acute
Rheumatic Fever.
Category Criteria Examples

Major Carditis Endocarditis,


• A patient must meet **2 major** or **1
Myocarditis
Major
major + 2 minorPolyarthritis Migratory joint pain
criteria** with evidence of
Minor Fever Temperature > 38.5°C
recent GAS infection.
Clinical Features of RHD
• Symptoms:
• • Dyspnea, fatigue, chest pain, palpitations.
• • Symptoms vary based on severity and
valvular involvement.

• Signs:
• • Murmurs: Mitral stenosis (diastolic rumble),
Mitral regurgitation (holosystolic murmur).
• • Arrhythmias, heart failure signs (peripheral
Global Prevalence of RHD
• • Highest burden in sub-Saharan Africa, South
Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
• • Declining rates in developed
Prevalence (%) nations due to
antibiotic
8 use and improved healthcare access.
6
4
2
0
Africa Asia Pacific Europe Americas
Management of RHD
• • **Acute Phase:**
• - **Antibiotics:** IM benzathine penicillin G
for GAS eradication.
• - **Anti-inflammatory therapy:** Aspirin or
corticosteroids.
• - **Supportive care:** Bed rest, heart failure
management.

• • **Long-term Management:**
Surgical and Interventional
Treatment
• Indications:
• • Severe valvular stenosis or regurgitation
with symptomatic heart failure.

• Surgical Options:
• • Valve repair (commissurotomy for mitral
stenosis).
• • Valve replacement (mechanical or
bioprosthetic).
Global Efforts to Combat RHD
• • WHO and international health organizations
promote RHD control programs.
• • Early detection Prevalence
programs (%)and school-based
screenings
8 in high-burden areas.
6
4
2
0
Africa Asia Pacific Europe Americas
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
• 1. **RHD is preventable** but remains a
global challenge.
• 2. **Early antibiotic treatment and
prophylaxis are essential.**
• 3. **Echocardiography remains the gold
standard for diagnosis.**
• 4. **Surgical interventions improve
outcomes** but require better accessibility.
• 5. **Public health initiatives and research are
critical to RHD eradication.**

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