INTRODUCTION: Degenerative mitral stenosis (DMS) is frequently cited as increasing in prevalence in the developed world, although comparatively little is known about DMS in comparison to rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS). METHOD: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 745 cases of native-valve mitral stenosis (MS) with median follow-up time of 7.25 years. Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were compared. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for a composite of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalisation. RESULTS: Patients with DMS compared to RMS were older (age, mean ± standard deviation: 69.6 ± 12.3 versus [vs] 51.6 ± 14.3 years, respectively; P<0.001) and a greater proportion had medical comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (78 [41.9%] vs 112 [20.0%], P<0.001). The proportion of cases of degenerative aetiology increased from 1.1% in 1991-1995 to 41.0% in 2016-2017. In multivariate analysis for the composite outcome, age (hazard ratio [HR] 95% confidence interval [CI] of 1.032 [1.020-1.044]; P<0.001), diabetes mellitus (HR 1.443, 95% CI 1.068-1.948; P=0.017), chronic kidney disease (HR 2.043, 95% CI 1.470-2.841; P<0.001) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (HR 1.019, 95% CI 1.010- 1.027; P<0.001) demonstrated significant indepen-dent associations. The aetiology of MS was not independently associated with the composite outcome. CONCLUSION DMS is becoming an increasingly common cause of native-valve MS. Despite numerous clinical differences between RMS and DMS, the aetiology of MS did not independently influence a composite of mortality or heart failure hospitalisation.
Humans ; Mitral Valve Stenosis/etiology* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Rheumatic Heart Disease/mortality* ; Echocardiography ; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data* ; Heart Failure/epidemiology* ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology*

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections cause substantial worldwide morbidity and mortality, mostly associated with suppurative complications such as pharyngitis, impetigo, and non-suppurative immune syndromes such as acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, and acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Deaths occur mostly in children, adolescents, and young adults in particular pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries. GAS strains are highly variable, and a GAS vaccine would need to overcome the issue of multiple strains. Several approaches have been used multivalent vaccines using N-terminal polypeptides of different M protein; conserved M protein vaccines with antigens from the conserved C-repeat portion of the M protein; incorporation selected T- and B-cell epitopes from the C-repeat region in a synthetic polypeptide or shorter single minimal B-cell epitopes from this same region; and non-M protein approaches utilizing highly conserved motives of streptococcal C5a peptidase, GAS carbohydrate and streptococcal fibronectin-binding proteins. A GAS vaccine represents urgent need for this neglected disease and should therefore deserve the greatest attention of international organizations, donors, and vaccine manufacturers.
Adolescent ; Child ; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; Humans ; Impetigo ; Mortality ; Neglected Diseases ; Peptides ; Pharyngitis ; Pregnant Women ; Public Health* ; Rheumatic Fever ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; Streptococcus* ; Tissue Donors ; Vaccines ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An understanding of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) mortality is important for the development of strategies aimed at reducing the burden of CVD. Thus, we examined the changing pattern of CVD mortality in Korea over 30 years (1983-2012) by analyzing the Cause of Death Statistics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Deaths from diseases of the circulatory system and those of five CVD categories were analyzed: total heart diseases, acute rheumatic fever/chronic rheumatic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, ischemic heart disease (IHD) and atherosclerosis. To assess the effects of population ageing on CVD mortality, crude and age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated. Age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated by using the direct standardization method. RESULTS: Over the 30-year period analyzed in this study, circulatory system disease mortality markedly declined. The age-adjusted mortality rate decreased by 78.5% in men and by 76.3% in women. Consistent decreasing trends were observed for mortalities from rheumatic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, and atherosclerosis. However, IHD mortality rapidly increased during the 30 years. Crude IHD mortality showed a steady increase until 2007, after which there were fluctuations. But the penalized regression splines showed that crude IHD mortality continued to increase. Age-adjusted IHD mortality peaked in the early 2000s, and started to decrease during the last few years. CONCLUSION: In summary, total CVD mortality rate has significantly decreased over the 30-year period analyzed in this study but the IHD mortality rate has continuously increased until recently. The prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases amongst the Korean population, especially IHD, still represents a great challenge.
Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality* ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Rheumatic Heart Disease

rheumatic heart disease and the improvements in antibiotic prophylaxis, infective endocarditis has been reported with increasing frequency in the last few decades. Presumably, this is due to the rise in the incidence of intravenous drug users, carriers of prosthetic valves and other intracardiac devices, and the longer survival of patients with congenital heart disease. Despite the great advances in medical and surgical treatment, infective endocarditis is still a life-threatening disease with an estimated mortality of 27%. Infective endocarditis represents one of the few potentially fatal infections that may occur in a dental patient. Efforts to reduce the incidence of this disease usually take the form of appropriate antibiotic coverage before dental treatment, together with the establishment and maintenance of good oral health. This study is a case report of a patient who developed infective endocarditis after multiple tooth extractions due to chronic periodontitis of dental origin.]]>
Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Diagnosis ; Drug Users ; Endocarditis ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Oral Health ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; Tooth Extraction

We compared clinical (30+/-24 months) and echocardiographic follow-up (22 +/- 20 months) data of 184 consecutive patients with myxomatous degenerative mitral regurgitation (Group A) and 85 consecutive patients with rheumatic mitral regurgitation (Group B) after repair. Selection criteria for rheumatic etiology was predominant mitral regurgitation with valve area >or= 2.0 cm2 and with no significant calcification in valvular apparatus. Repair was successful in 93% of group A and in 92% of group B (p>0.05). There was no difference of operative mortality (1% vs 0%) and of the incidence of the second-pump valve replacement (4% vs 5%). The 4-yr survival, 4-yr event-free survival, and 4-yr mitral regurgitation-free survival rates in group A were 96 +/- 2%, 89 +/- 4%, and 76 +/- 5%, respectively, which were not different from those in group B (97 +/-2 %, 93 +/- 4%, and 68 +/-7 %, p >0.05). Independent determinants of development of at least moderate regurgitation in group A were no use of ring annuloplasty (hazards ratio 6.6, 95% CI 2.0 to 21.5) and new chordae formation (hazards ratio 3.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 8.7). In group B, no use of ring annuloplasty (hazards ratio 15.3, 95% CI 3.5 to 66.7) also was independent predictor. Valve repair is highly feasible in selected patients with rheumatic mitral regurgitation, and clinical course is not significantly different from that of patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation.
Adult ; Comparative Study ; Disease-Free Survival ; *Echocardiography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Human ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency/etiology/mortality/*surgery/*ultrasonography ; Rheumatic Heart Disease/mortality/*surgery/*ultrasonography ; Survival Analysis ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the early and long-term results after mitral valve replacement for rheumatic valvular disease by using home-made tilting disc valve, and the determinant factors involved and subsequent therapies.

METHODSOne hundred and five patients, including 31 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, 92 patients with mixed mitral stenosis and regurgitation, and 2 patients with bacterial endocarditis, underwent prosthetic mitral valve replacement with home-made tilting disc valve from September 1978 to June 1982. Three patients had a history of mitral commissurotomy, and 5 patients had concomitant functional tricuspid regurgitation. All patients were operated on under cardiopulmonary bypass with implantation of 25 - 29 mm size home-made tilting disc valve prosthesis. The associated functional tricuspid lesions were treated at the same time with modified DeVega's valvuloplasty or Kays bicuspidate valvuloplasty.

RESULTSEleven patients died during the hospital stay with an early operative mortality of 8.8%. The major causes of the early death were low cardiac output syndrome (4 patients), respiratory failure (2), acute renal failure (2), extrinsic prosthesis dysfunction (1), ventricular arrhythmia (1), and left ventricular rupture (1). Ninety-eight survivors were followed up (total 1,162.2 years) for mean duration of 12.8 years. Eighty-nine patients (78%) survived over 10 years after operation, 58 (51%) over 15 years, and 55 (48%) over 20 years. There were 16 late deaths due to heart failure, anticoagulation related bleeding, thromboembolism and recurrence of rheumatic fever. The survival rates at 10 and 20 years were 82.3% and 51.1% respectively. Among the patients who survived over 20 years, 37 patients had the cardiac functional status returned to Class II, 13 Class III, and Class IV.

CONCLUSIONSSevere post-rheumatic valve deformity may occur in younger patients in China. Long-acting penicillin regimen given for 3 - 5 years for the prevention of rheumatic fever relapse is advocated. A low intensity anticoagulant regimen after mitral valve replacement is advisable in lowering the incidence of anticoagulant related bleeding, while optimizing sufficient protection against thromboembolic complication. Proper operative timing (e.g. when the patient is in sinus rhythm and in NYHA functional class II) is of great importance in achieving satisfied long-term results.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anticoagulants ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Valve Diseases ; etiology ; surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; methods ; mortality ; Hemorrhage ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; complications ; Secondary Prevention ; Survival Analysis ; Survival Rate ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the early and long-term results after mitral-aortic valve replacement for rheumatic valvular disease and the determinant factors involved and subsequent therapies.

METHODS1 154 patients receiving combined mitral-aortic valve replacement for rheumatic valvular disease from May 1981 to May 2001 were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 41.48 +/- 10.00 years. Concomitant valve plasty was performed for associated tricuspid organic or significant functional lesions. Lateral tilting disc or bileaflet valve prostheses were used for replacement. New York Heart Association functional status showed Class III or IV in 91.77% of the patients. Moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension occurred in 29.38% of the patients. The duration of follow-up varied from 8 months to 20 years.

RESULTSThe hospital mortality was decreased from 6.50% to 4.45%. The 5-, 10- and l5-year survival rates were 89.46% +/- 1.35%, 86.50% +/- l.91% and 67.86% +/- 6.16%, respectively. The 5-, 10- and l5-year thromboembolic event free rates were 97.80% +/- 0.74%, 88.31% +/- 2.20% and 94.08% +/- 2.29%, respectively. the 5-, 10- and l5-year anticoagulant related bleeding free rates were 94.80% +/- 1.09%, 89.32% +/- 2.10% and 83.12% +/- 3.57% respectively. Cardiac functional status returned to Class II in 98% patients and to Class III in 2% during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSBoth left and right ventricular functions may be impaired as a result of rheumatic valvular disease. Tricuspid valve should be explored during surgery and any significant tricuspid annular enlargement and regurgitation showed be corrected in concomitance. Long-acting penicillin regimen is needed for 3 - 5 years for the prevention of rheumatic fever relapse. A low intensity anticoagulant regimen after valve replacement with prothrombin time targeting at 1.5 - 2.0 times is advisable in lessening anticoagulant related bleeding yet optimizing sufficient prevention against thromboembolic complications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aortic Valve ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Valve Diseases ; etiology ; surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; mortality ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; complications ; prevention & control ; Survival Analysis ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Tricuspid Valve ; surgery ; Young Adult

Chronic rheumatic heart disease is the most important consequence of rheumatic fever and characterized principally by deforming fibrotic valvular disease(particularly mitral stenosis), which can produce permanent dysfunction and severe, sometimes fatal, cardiac dysfunction decades later. So the operation should be carried out in symptomatic patients with moderate to severe mitral or aortic stenosis or regurgitation. Postoperative mortality rate is low. But some postoperative complications including thromboembolism and prosthetic valve endocarditis are associated with high mortality. We report a autopsy case diagnosed as cerebral infarction due to thromboembolic complication of rheumatic heart disease patient with mechanical mitral and aortic prostheses. To our knowledge, this is the initial autopsy presentation of cerebral infarction due to thromboembolic complication of mechanical prosthetic valve in the patient with rheumatic heart disease in Korea.
Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Autopsy ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Endocarditis ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Prostheses and Implants* ; Rheumatic Fever ; Rheumatic Heart Disease* ; Thromboembolism

PURPOSE: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious complication in children with structural heart disease. We reviewed 35 cases of IE to identify the recent changes in the pattern of preexisting heart diseases, the spectrum of causative organisms and prognosis. METHODS: The clinical records of children diagnosed as IE at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital from January 1987 through December 1997, were reviewed retrospectively. Duke criteria was used for diagnosis. Cases were categorized into primary group(PG) IE in an unoperated heart and post operative group(POG), and the latter further into early POG(within 2 months after operation) and late POG. RESULTS: There were 35 cases of IE developed in 34 patients; 18 cases in the PG, 6 cases in the early POG, and 11 cases in the late POG. Male to female ratio was 16 : 19. Mean age of POG, especially early POG was less than that of PG (early POG : late POG : PG=1.65 years : 6.5 years : 8.34 years, P=0.0267). Preexisting heart diseases were identified in 30 cases; rheumatic heart disease 1 case and congenital heart disease (CHD) 29 cases. Causative organisms were identified in 80%; viridans streptococci, 10 cases (33.3%); pneumococci, 2 cases; Group-D streptococci, 3 cases; staphylococci, 8 cases; Gram (-) organisms, 5 cases and Candida albicans, 2 cases. Vegetation was detected in 88.9% of PG and 64.7% of POG. The most common indication for surgery was uncontrolled infection, which were required in 9 cases. The overall mortality rate was 12.1%. Mortality in POG was higher than that of PG (23.5% versus 0%, P=0.033). CONCLUSION: The discrepancy of mean age among patient groups and the high proportion of patients belonging to POG, were consistent with the increase in the number of newly risky population that survived after cardiac surgery. A more aggressive consideration for operative management may improve the treatment results.
Candida albicans ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Endocarditis* ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; Seoul ; Thoracic Surgery ; Viridans Streptococci

Multiple cerebral aneurysms in children are rare lesions, occurring at a frequency of approximately 0.5% to 4.6%. In children, infective endocarditis from congenital or rheumatic heart disease are the important causes of cerebral mycotic aneurysms. Subarachnoid hemorrhage, most commonly caused by the rupture of an intracranial anurysm is associated with mortality and morbidity. We reported a case of multiple cerebral aneurysms in a 7 year old child with ventricular septal defect (VSD) in operation of the two times performed under general anesthesia. He was scheduled for elective surgery for clipping of cerebral aneurysm in ASA physical status II. For premedication, he was administered triflupromazine 10 mg (Veprin ) and glycopyrrolate 0.1 mg IM 1 hour prior to induction. Induction was established with thiopental, vecuronium after preoxygenation. N2O/O2 (2 L/min:2 L/min), isoflurane and vecuronium were administered for maintenance. For monitoring, ECG, direct arterial pressure, CVP, ETCO2 were performed. In second operation, we were performed the general anesthesia the same as the first operation. He had discharged in coma state on 4 day after the second operation hopelessly.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Aneurysm, Infected ; Arterial Pressure ; Child* ; Coma ; Electrocardiography ; Endocarditis ; Glycopyrrolate ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Isoflurane ; Mortality ; Premedication ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; Rupture ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Thiopental ; Triflupromazine ; Vecuronium Bromide