Rheumatic mitral valve disease: current surgical status.
Rheumatic heart disease is the most serious sequelae of rheumatic fever occurring in approximately 30% of rheumatic fever patients. Patients with acute rheumatic fever may develop varying degrees of pancarditis with associated valve disease, heart failure, and pericarditis. Worldwide, rheumatic heart disease remains a major health problem although its prevalence in the developed countries is much reduced. Involvement of the mitral valve results in mitral regurgitation and/or stenosis. Where surgery is indicated, mitral valve replacement is usually necessary although in some cases, mitral valve repair is possible.
Zakkar
Mustafa
M
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, United Kingdom.
Amirak
Emre
E
Chan
K M John
KM
Punjabi
Prakash P
PP
D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*