Promising approaches to early diagnosis of chronic rheumatic heart disease

Abstract

Aim to determine the prevalence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in children and chronic rheumatic heart disease (HRHD) in adults on the example of the Samara region and to propose measures for the early detection and prevention of valvular heart lesions. Material and methods. The authors cite the material of their own research, indicating a significant prevalence of rheumatic etiology of valvular lesions that required surgical treatment in 20162020 in the Samara region. We retrospectively analyzed the prevalence of acute rheumatic fever and chronic rheumatic heart disease in out-patients of a large polyclinic of Samara city. Results. The study demonstrates the low frequency of acute rheumatic fever in the Russian Federation along with the disproportionately high prevalence of chronic rheumatic heart disease. Conclusion. It is advisable to supplement the procedure for preventive medical examinations of the underage, has being in force in the territory of the Russian Federation since 2017, by ultrasound examination of the heart for the timely diagnosis of chronic rheumatic heart disease and long-term treatment with benzathine penicillin. In this case, it is also possible to identify previously undiagnosed congenital heart defects and heart diseases that manifest in adolescence.

Keywords

• acute rheumatic fever
• chronic rheumatic heart disease
• echocardiography
• valvular heart disease
• preventive treatment with benzathine penicillin