Rheumatic fever screening
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S. [2]; Anthony Gallo, B.S. [3]
Overview
Screening of rheumatic fever is important as many cases of rheumatic heart disease are subclinical. Echocardiography among inhabitants of high risk regions is recommended. If any abnormality is detected on echocardiography, further cardiac evaluation is performed followed by antimicrobial therapy.
Screening
- According to the World Health Organization, screening for rheumatic fever by echocardiogram is recommended among patients with from high risk communities with abnormal auscultatory findings. Early detection of subclinical disease process helps in early treatment and improves prognosis by preventing recurrence.[1] Screening is performed to prevent significant valvular disease.[2]
- Screening of rheumatic heart disease involves:
- Eliciting history of rheumatic fever
- Cardiac auscultation for murmurs
- Echocardiography
References
- ↑ Marijon E, Ou P, Celermajer DS, Ferreira B, Mocumbi AO, Sidi D; et al. (2008). “Echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease”. Bull World Health Organ. 86 (2): 84. PMC 2647380. PMID 18297157.
- ↑ Meira ZM, Goulart EM, Colosimo EA, Mota CC (2005). “Long term follow up of rheumatic fever and predictors of severe rheumatic valvar disease in Brazilian children and adolescents”. Heart. 91 (8): 1019–22. doi:10.1136/hrt.2004.042762. PMC 1769032. PMID 16020588.
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