The Fate of Mitral Valve Surgery in the Pediatric Age: A 25-Year Single-Center Experience

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural history of patients after mitral valve intervention in the pediatric age. Methods: This is a retrospective study including all patients who underwent mitral valve surgery from 1998 to 2022. The patients' surgical reports, postoperative records, and ambulatory visits were reviewed. The endpoints of the study were survival and freedom from mitral valve reoperation. Results: Of the 70 patients included in the cohort, 61 patients (86.7%) had congenital mitral valve disease, of whom 46 patients (75.4%) had a predominantly mitral regurgitation lesion, and 15 patients (24.6%) had a predominantly mitral stenosis. In the mitral regurgitation group, all of the patients underwent valve repair with an operative mortality of one patient (2.1%), and with median follow-up of 4 years (range, 0.5-13 years), there was 4.3% mortality (n = 2) and 71.2% freedom from reoperation. In the mitral stenosis group, 11 patients underwent mitral valve repair, and 4 patients underwent valve replacement. There was an operative mortality of two patients (13.3%). With a 2-year median follow-up (range: 0.1-23 years), there were no additional mortality cases in the mitral stenosis group. All three patients who survived primary mitral valve replacement (100%) and four patients who survived a primary repair (40.0%) underwent reoperation. Conclusions: This study demonstrates encouraging outcomes for mitral valve repair. The mortality of patients with congenital mitral valve disease may also be related to a difficult postoperative course, rather than the MV lesion itself.

Mechanical valve replacement for patients with rheumatic heart disease: the reality of INR control in Africa and beyond

The majority of patients requiring heart valve replacement in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs) need it for rheumatic heart disease (RHD). While the young age of such patients largely prescribes replacement with mechanical prostheses, reliable anticoagulation management is often unattainable under the prevailing socioeconomic circumstances. Cases of patients with clotted valves presenting for emergency surgery as a consequence of poor adherence to anticoagulation control are frequent. The operative mortality rates of reoperations for thrombosed mechanical valves are several times higher than those for tissue valves, and long-term results are also disappointing. Under-anticoagulation prevails in these regions that has clearly been linked to poor international normalised ratio (INR) monitoring. In industrialised countries, safe anticoagulation is defined as >60%-70% of the time in the therapeutic range (TTR). In LMICs, the TTR has been found to be in the range of twenty to forty percent. In this study, we analysed >20,000 INR test results of 552 consecutive patients receiving a mechanical valve for RHD. Only 27% of these test results were in the therapeutic range, with the vast majority (61%) being sub-therapeutic. Interestingly, the post-operative frequency of INR tests of one every 3-4 weeks in year 1 had dropped to less than 1 per year by year 7. LMICs need to use clinical judgement and assess the probability of insufficient INR monitoring prior to uncritically applying Western guidelines predominantly based on chronological age. The process of identification of high-risk subgroups in terms of non-adherence to anticoagulation control should take into account both the adherence history of >50% of patients with RHD who were in chronic atrial fibrillation prior to surgery as well as geographic and socioeconomic circumstances.

Two-incision totally thoracoscopic mitral valve repair combined with radiofrequency atrial fibrillation ablation in rheumatic mitral valve disease: Early results of a case series of 43 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

Few studies have reported the outcomes of two-incision total thoracoscopic mitral valve repair (MVr) and concomitant radiofrequency atrial fibrillation ablation (RAFA) in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 43 consecutive patients who underwent MVr and RAFA through two-incision total thoracoscopic technique from October 2018 to June 2022. We collected data on baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and early-term results.

RESULTS

The mean age was 55.67 ± 7.64 years and 29 (67.4%) patients had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was 115.56 ± 8.53 min and aortic clamping time was 81.42 ± 7.54 min. There were no in-hospital deaths or strokes. The mean preoperative mitral valve orifice area (MVOA) was 0.95 (0.84-1.16) cm2 and increased to 2.56 (2.41-2.87) cm2 at discharge and 2.54 (2.44-2.76) cm2 at 3 months after surgery (P < .001). At discharge, 32 (74.4%) patients were in sinus rhythm, 7 (20.9%) were in junctional or atrial flutter rhythm, and 4 (9.3%) remained in AF. At 6 months, 35 (81.4%) patients were in sinus rhythm, 5 (11.63%) were in junctional or atrial flutter rhythm, and 3 (4.7%) were in AF.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-incision total thoracoscopic MVr and RAFA is a safe and effective procedure that can improve the MVOA and promote conversion of AF to sinus rhythm in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and AF. Further studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are needed to confirm the long-term benefits of this approach.

A Review of Cardiac Surgical Procedures and Their Outcomes for Paediatric Rheumatic Heart Disease in Western Australia

INTRODUCTION

Surgical intervention is an important treatment modality for advanced rheumatic heart disease (RHD). This study aimed to describe patient characteristics and outcomes from cardiac surgery for RHD in patients referred to the only tertiary paediatric hospital in Western Australia.

METHODS

An analysis of patient characteristics and cardiac surgery outcomes in patients with RHD was undertaken, using data from clinical cardiac databases, medical notes, and correspondence from rural outreach clinics.

RESULTS

29 patients (59% female, 97% Aboriginal, Māori or Pacific Islander) underwent 41 valve interventions over 34 cardiac surgeries for RHD between 2000-2018. Median age at first surgery was 12.2 (range 4-16) years. Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) was the most common indication for primary surgery (62%), followed by mixed mitral regurgitation/aortic regurgitation (21%) and severe aortic regurgitation (17%). Mitral valve repair was the most common valve intervention (56%). Two patients had mitral valve replacement (MVR) at first operation, two patients had MVR at second operation and two had MVR at third operation. There was no early mortality. One patient required early (<30 days) reoperation for aortic valve repair failure. Two patients had late reoperations at 3.3 and 6.1 months after the first procedure for MR. Four (14%) patients experienced documented ARF recurrences. Late mortality occurred in 3 (10%) patients, all due to cardiac causes. On last follow-up echocardiogram 5 patients (17%) had moderate MR and none had severe MR.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to describe characteristics and outcomes in WA paediatric patients having surgery for RHD. Outcomes are comparable to similar studies, with favourable long-term survival.

Transcatheter heart valve interventions for patients with rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease [RHD] is the most prevalent cause of valvular heart disease in the world, outstripping degenerative aortic stenosis numbers fourfold. Despite this, global resources are firmly aimed at improving the management of degenerative disease. Reasons remain complex and include lack of resources, expertise, and overall access to valve interventions in developing nations, where RHD is most prevalent. Is it time to consider less invasive alternatives to conventional valve surgery? Several anatomical and pathological differences exist between degenerative and rheumatic valves, including percutaneous valve landing zones. These are poorly documented and may require dedicated solutions when considering percutaneous intervention. Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) is the treatment of choice for severe mitral stenosis (MS) but is reserved for patients with suitable valve anatomy without significant mitral regurgitation (MR), the commonest lesion in RHD. Valvuloplasty also rarely offers a durable solution for patients with rheumatic aortic stenosis (AS) or aortic regurgitation (AR). MR and AR pose unique challenges to successful transcatheter valve implantation as landing zone calcification, so central in docking transcatheter aortic valves in degenerative AS, is often lacking. Surgery in young RHD patients requires mechanical prostheses for durability but morbidity and mortality from both thrombotic complications and bleeding on Warfarin remains excessively high. Also, redo surgery rates are high for progression of aortic valve disease in patients with prior mitral valve replacement (MVR). Transcatheter treatments may offer a solution to anticoagulation problems and address reoperation in patients with prior MVR or failing ventricles, but would have to be tailored to the rheumatic environment. The high prevalence of MR and AR, lack of calcification and other unique anatomical challenges remain. Improvements in tissue durability, the development of novel synthetic valve leaflet materials, dedicated delivery systems and docking stations or anchoring systems to securely land the transcatheter devices, would all require attention. We review the epidemiology of RHD and discuss anatomical differences between rheumatic valves and other pathologies with a view to transcatheter solutions. The shortcomings of current RHD management, including current transcatheter treatments, will be discussed and finally we look at future developments in the field.

IgG2 rules: N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine-specific IgG2 and Th17/Th1 cooperation may promote the pathogenesis of acute rheumatic heart disease and be a biomarker of the autoimmune sequelae of Streptococcus pyogenes

Antecedent group A streptococcal pharyngitis is a well-established cause of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) where rheumatic valvular heart disease (RHD) and Sydenham chorea (SC) are major manifestations. In ARF, crossreactive antibodies and T cells respond to streptococcal antigens, group A carbohydrate, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc), and M protein, respectively, and through molecular mimicry target heart and brain tissues. In this translational human study, we further address our hypothesis regarding specific pathogenic humoral and cellular immune mechanisms leading to streptococcal sequelae in a small pilot study. The aims of the study were to (1) better understand specific mechanisms of pathogenesis in ARF, (2) identify a potential early biomarker of ARF, (3) determine immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses directed against GlcNAc, the immunodominant epitope of the group A carbohydrate, by reaction of ARF serum IgG with GlcNAc, M protein, and human neuronal cells (SK-N-SH), and (4) determine IgG subclasses deposited on heart tissues from RHD. In 10 pediatric patients with RHD and 6 pediatric patients with SC, the serum IgG2 subclass reacted significantly with GlcNAc, and distinguished ARF from 7 pediatric patients with uncomplicated pharyngitis. Three pediatric patients who demonstrated only polymigrating arthritis, a major manifestation of ARF and part of the Jones criteria for diagnosis, lacked the elevated IgG2 subclass GlcNAc-specific reactivity. In SC, the GlcNAc-specific IgG2 subclass in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) selectively targeted human neuronal cells as well as GlcNAc in the ELISA. In rheumatic carditis, the IgG2 subclass preferentially and strongly deposited in valve tissues (n = 4) despite elevated concentrations of IgG1 and IgG3 in RHD sera as detected by ELISA to group A streptococcal M protein. Although our human study of ARF includes a very small limited sample set, our novel research findings suggest a strong IgG2 autoantibody response against GlcNAc in RHD and SC, which targeted heart valves and neuronal cells. Cardiac IgG2 deposition was identified with an associated IL-17A/IFN-γ cooperative signature in RHD tissue which displayed both IgG2 deposition and cellular infiltrates demonstrating these cytokines simultaneously. GlcNAc-specific IgG2 may be an important autoantibody in initial stages of the pathogenesis of group A streptococcal sequelae, and future studies will determine if it can serve as a biomarker for risk of RHD and SC or early diagnosis of ARF.

Cohort profile: methodology and cohort characteristics of the Aotearoa New Zealand Rheumatic Heart Disease Registry

PURPOSE

To create a cohort with high specificity for moderate and severe rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in New Zealand, not reliant on International Classification of Diseases discharge coding. To describe the demography and cardiac profile of this historical and contemporary cohort.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective identification of moderate or severe RHD with disease onset by 2019. Case identification from the following data sources: cardiac surgical databases, RHD case series, percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty databases, echocardiography databases, regional rheumatic fever registers and RHD clinic lists. The setting for this study was a high-income country with continued incidence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF).

FINDINGS TO DATE

A Registry cohort of 4959 patients was established. The initial presentation was RHD without recognised prior ARF in 41%, and ARF in 59%. Ethnicity breakdown: Māori 38%, Pacific 33.5%, European 21.9%, other 6.7%. Ethnic disparities have changed significantly over time. Prior to 1960, RHD cases were 64.3% European, 25.3% Māori and 6.7% Pacific. However, in contrast, from 2010 to 2019, RHD cases were 10.7% European, 37.4% Māori and 47.2% Pacific.Follow-up showed 32% had changed region of residence within New Zealand from their initial presentation. At least one cardiac intervention (cardiac surgery, transcatheter balloon valvuloplasty) was undertaken in 64% of the cohort at a mean age of 40 years. 19.8% of the cohort had multiple cardiac interventions. At latest follow-up, 26.9% of the cohort died. Of those alive, the mean follow-up is 20.5+19.4 years. Māori and Pacific led governance groups have been established to provide data governance and oversight for the registry.

FUTURE PLANS

Detailed mortality and morbidity of the registry cases will be defined by linkage to New Zealand national health data collections. The contemporary cohort of the registry will be available for future studies to improve clinical management and outcomes for the 3450 individuals living with chronic RHD.

Meta-Analysis of Mitral Valve Repair Versus Replacement for Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease

BACKGROUND

Rheumatic heart disease remains one of the leading causes of heart valve disease worldwide despite being a preventable condition. Mitral valve repair is superior to replacement in severe degenerative mitral valve disease, however its role in rheumatic valve disease remains controversial. This meta-analysis compared mitral valve repair and replacement in rheumatic heart disease.

METHODS

Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane and Scopus were searched from January 1980 to June 2016 for original studies reporting outcomes of both mitral valve repair and replacement in rheumatic heart disease in adults, children or both. Two (2) authors independently assessed studies for inclusion, followed by data extraction and analysis.

RESULTS

The search yielded 930 articles, with 98 full-texts reviewed after initial screening and 13 studies subsequently included for analysis, totalling 2,410 mitral valve repairs and 3,598 replacements. Pooled rates and odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for operative mortality of repair versus replacement was 3.2% versus 4.3%, 0.68 (0.50-0.92; p=0.01). Pooled odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were for long-term mortality 0.41 (0.30-0.56; p<0.001); reoperation 3.02 (1.72-5.31; p<0.001); and bleeding 0.26 (0.11-0.63; p=0.003). There was a trend towards lower thrombo-embolism 0.42 (0.17-1.03; p=0.06), and no significant difference in endocarditis (p=0.76), during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Mitral valve repair is associated with reduction in operative and long-term mortality and bleeding, so is recommended in rheumatic mitral valve disease where feasible, but it does entail a higher rate of reoperation during follow-up.

Medium-term outcomes from mitral valve surgery for rheumatic heart disease in young adults in Aotearoa New Zealand: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in New Zealand. Factors associated with the choice of surgical treatment for advanced RHD in young adults are poorly understood. We sought to review our local experience with the surgical management of young adults with rheumatic mitral valvular disease.

METHODS

From 2003 to 2016, all patients aged 15-24 years undergoing mitral valve surgery for rheumatic disease at Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

During the 13-year study period, 73 young adults underwent mitral surgery; 85% were Maori or Pacific Islanders. Mitral repair was performed in 32 patients and replacement in 41 patients. Isolated mitral valve surgery was performed in 36%, double valve procedures in 47%, and triple valve procedures in 17% of patients. The 30-day mortality rate and stroke rate were 1.4% and 2.7% respectively. The medium-term mortality rate was 11.9% across a mean follow-up of 6 years (6.9% in the repair group, 15.8% in the replacement group, p = 0.25). There were increased bleeding complications (p = 0.04) in patients with mechanical mitral valve replacement. For patients on warfarin, across medium-term follow-up, the INR was in the therapeutic range only 23% of the time.

CONCLUSION

Most young adults in New Zealand with severe RHD requiring surgery are of indigenous Maori or Pacific Island ethnicity. There is a trend towards improved survival with mitral repair. There is a significant tendency towards increased bleeding complications in patients on warfarin for mechanical mitral replacement. Warfarin compliance is poor.

Rheumatic mitral valve repair or replacement in the valve-in-valve era

OBJECTIVE

For degenerative mitral disease, repair is superior to replacement; however, the best operative strategy for rheumatic mitral disease remains unclear. We evaluated the association between decision-making in choosing repair versus replacement and outcomes across 2 decades of rheumatic mitral surgery.

METHODS

Patients undergoing isolated, first-time rheumatic mitral surgery were identified. Era 1 (1997-2008) and Era 2 (2009-2018) were distinguished by intraoperative assessment of anterior leaflet mobility/calcification (Era 2) in deciding between mitral repair versus replacement. Primary outcome was a composite of death, reoperation, and severe valve dysfunction.

RESULTS

Among 180 patients, age was 59 ± 14 years, and ejection fraction was 58% ± 10%. A higher proportion in Era 1 (n = 56) compared with Era 2 (n = 124) had preoperative atrial fibrillation (68% vs 46%; P = .006); the groups were otherwise similar. Primary indication was mitral stenosis in 69% (124 out of 180; pure = 35, mixed = 89) and did not differ by era (P = .67). During Era 1, 70% (39 out of 56) underwent repair, compared with 33% (41 out of 124) during Era 2 (P < .001). Freedom from death, reoperation, or severe valve dysfunction at 5 years was higher in Era 2 (72% ± 9%) than Era 1 (54% ± 13%; P = .04). Five-year survival was higher in Era 2 than Era 1, but did not differ between repair versus replacement. Five-year cumulative incidence of reoperation with death as a competing risk did not differ by era, but was higher after repair than replacement.

CONCLUSIONS

Careful assessment of anterior leaflet mobility/calcification to determine mitral repair or replacement was associated with improved outcomes. This decision-making strategy may alter the threshold for rheumatic mitral replacement in the current valve-in-valve era.

Current Perspectives on Contemporary Rheumatic Mitral Valve Repair

The surgical management of rheumatic mitral valve disease remains a challenge for cardiac surgeons. Durability of mitral valve repair (MVr) is likely compromised not simply due to high technical demand, but surgeon reluctance, despite boasting copious advantages over MV replacement. This comprehensive review aims to evoke a deeper understanding of MVr concepts necessary to abate these limitations and shift mindset towards a more holistic approach to repair. Details of commonly utilized techniques in contemporary MVr for rheumatic heart disease will be discussed. Of importance, the reparative procedures will be mapped to an in-depth physiological exploration of the mitral complex-dynamism and rheumatic interplay. This is further emphasized by outlining the current “aggressive” resection strategy in contemporary rheumatic MVr.

Clinical outcomes following surgical mitral valve repair or replacement in patients with rheumatic heart disease: a meta-analysis

Background

The clinical outcome of mitral valve repair (MVP) is considerably more favorable than that of mitral valve replacement (MVR) in patients with degenerative mitral disease. However, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is still the predominant cause of mitral valve surgery in developing countries and the advantages of MVP in RHD have still not been definitely proven. The aim of this meta-analysis was thus to evaluate the suitability of MVP in patients with RHD. Considering the difference between mechanical and biological valves, we distinguished them from each other and compared them with MVP individually.

Methods

A comparison of clinical outcomes of MVP and MVR in patients with RHD was performed based on clinical trial data. Relevant articles published from January 1, 1990 until March 1, 2020 were identified in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database (CNKI). Studies that lacked direct comparisons between MVP and MVR were excluded.

Results

A total of 16 studies with 8659 patients were included in the analysis. The MVP group displayed lower early and long-term mortality, and fewer valve-related events and major adverse events. However, this patient group required more reoperations compared with the MVR group. Similar results were observed after distinguishing between mechanical and bioprosthetic valves to compare MVP with MVR (mech-valves), but no statistically significant difference was identified in the reoperation rate between MVP and MVR (bio-valves). MVP was further associated with increased risk of mitral reoperation in patients undergoing concomitant aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery but without any improved early and long-term survival.

Conclusions

MVP and MVR are beneficial for patients with RHD. For skilled surgeons, MVP can be performed for some suitable patients with RHD and is preferred for elderly patients or patients with contraindications of anticoagulation. However, MVR is more appropriate when concomitant AVR is needed.

The Global Burden of Rheumatic Heart Disease: Population-Related Differences (It is Not All the Same!)

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains the most common cardiovascular disease in young adults and adolescents in need of heart surgery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The mean age of patients is 20-25 years, often much younger. By contrast, the few patients with chronic RHD in developed countries present a mean age of around 55 years. It is absolutely fundamental to differentiate these two types of population. Pathology, lesions and surgical methods are different, and the results should not be compared. It is not all the same! A certain enthusiasm for mitral repair has recently surged, with several reports showing excellent results in children and young adults, resulting from the renewed interest of cardiac surgeons, also based on new and modified techniques developed in the meantime. While surgery is easily accessible to patients in developed countries, the situation in LMICs is often dramatic, with countries where there is a complete absence of or few surgical facilities absolutely unable to meet gigantic demands. Many foreign surgical teams conduct humanitarian missions in several of these countries. They are just a "drop of water in the ocean" of needs. In some cases, however, these missions led to the establishment of local teams that now work independently and, in some cases, outperform the foreign teams still visiting.

The use of cardiac valve procedures for rheumatic heart disease in Australia; a cross-sectional study 2002-2017

Background

Australia, although a high income economy, carries a significant burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and RHD are endemic in the Indigenous population. Immigrants from low/lower-income countries (‘non-Indigenous high-risk’) are also at increased risk compared with ‘non-Indigenous low-risk’ Australians. This study describes the utilisation of surgical and percutaneous procedures for RHD-related valve disease among patients aged less than 50 years, from 2002 to 2017.

Methods

A descriptive study using data from the ‘End RHD in Australia: Study of Epidemiology (ERASE) Project’ linking RHD Registers and hospital inpatient data from five states/territories, and two surgical databases. Trends across three-year periods were determined and post-procedural all-cause 30-day mortality calculated.

Results

A total of 3900 valves interventions were undertaken in 3028 procedural episodes among 2487 patients. Over 50% of patients were in the 35–49 years group, and 64% were female. Over 60% of procedures for 3-24 year-olds were for Indigenous patients. There were few significant changes across the study period other than downward trends in the number and proportion of procedures for young Indigenous patients (3–24 years) and ‘non-Indigenous/low risk’ patients aged ≥35 years. Mitral valve procedures predominated, and multi-valve interventions increased, including on the tricuspid valve. The majority of replacement prostheses were mechanical, although bioprosthetic valve use increased overall, being highest among females <35 years and Indigenous Australians. All-cause mortality (n = 42) at 30-days was 1.4% overall (range 1.1–1.7), but 2.0% for Indigenous patients.

Conclusions

The frequency of cardiac valve procedures, and 30-day mortality remained steady across 15 years. Some changes in the distribution of procedures in population groups were evident. Replacement procedures, the use of bioprosthetic valves, and multiple-valve interventions increased. The challenge for Australian public health officials is to reduce the incidence, and improve the early detection and management of ARF/RHD in high-risk populations within Australia.

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Epidemic RHD in Indigenous Australians drives RHD-related cardiac valve procedures.

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30-day mortality post-procedural is low in those under 50 years.

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Bioprosthetic valve replacements higher in young women, and increasing in older patients.

Contemporary Diagnosis and Management of Rheumatic Heart Disease: Implications for Closing the Gap: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

The global burden of rheumatic heart disease continues to be significant although it is largely limited to poor and marginalized populations. In most endemic regions, affected patients present with heart failure. This statement will seek to examine the current state-of-the-art recommendations and to identify gaps in diagnosis and treatment globally that can inform strategies for reducing disease burden. Echocardiography screening based on World Heart Federation echocardiographic criteria holds promise to identify patients earlier, when prophylaxis is more likely to be effective; however, several important questions need to be answered before this can translate into public policy. Population-based registries effectively enable optimal care and secondary penicillin prophylaxis within available resources. Benzathine penicillin injections remain the cornerstone of secondary prevention. Challenges with penicillin procurement and concern with adverse reactions in patients with advanced disease remain important issues. Heart failure management, prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of endocarditis, oral anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, and prosthetic valves are vital therapeutic adjuncts. Management of health of women with unoperated and operated rheumatic heart disease before, during, and after pregnancy is a significant challenge that requires a multidisciplinary team effort. Patients with isolated mitral stenosis often benefit from percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty. Timely heart valve surgery can mitigate the progression to heart failure, disability, and death. Valve repair is preferable over replacement for rheumatic mitral regurgitation but is not available to the vast majority of patients in endemic regions. This body of work forms a foundation on which a companion document on advocacy for rheumatic heart disease has been developed. Ultimately, the combination of expanded treatment options, research, and advocacy built on existing knowledge and science provides the best opportunity to address the burden of rheumatic heart disease.

Long-term outcomes of rheumatic mitral valve repair: Is it worthwhile to do it?

AIM

This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term outcomes of mitral valve repair in rheumatic patients.

METHODS

From 2003 to 2019, 151 patients (mean age 26.5 ± 14.9 years; 68.9% female) underwent mitral valve repair. Fifty-three (35.1%) had atrial fibrillation, and 79 (52.3%) were in New York Heart Association class III/IV. Pure mitral regurgitation was present in 109 (72.2%) patients, pure stenosis in 9 (6%), and mixed regurgitation and stenosis in 33.

RESULTS

Three (2%) patients died postoperatively and 4 (2.6%) were lost during follow-up. Mean follow-up was 90.5 ± 55.6 months. There were 22 (14.8%) late deaths. Actuarial survival at 5, 10, and 15 years was 90.7% ± 2.5%, 83.5% ± 3.6%, and 76.5 ± 6.1%, respectively. Twelve (8.5%) patients underwent reoperation. Freedom from reoperation at 5, 10, and 15 years was 96.1% ± 1.7%, 89.8% ± 3.2%, and 82.3% ± 6.1%, respectively. Forty-two (29.2%) patients developed recurrent mitral regurgitation. Freedom from recurrence of mitral regurgitation at 5, 10, and 15 years was 70.9% ± 4.3%, 56% ± 5.9%, and 53.3% ± 6.4%, respectively. Eighty-one (56.6%) patients were and free from all events during follow-up. Freedom from all events at 5, 10, and 15 years was 64.8% ± 4.1%, 48.6% ± 5.3%, and 43.7% ± 5.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although rheumatic mitral valve repair is associated with late recurrence of mitral regurgitation, it has benefits in selected patients, especially children and young patients who want to avoid the lifelong risks of anticoagulation. Long-term follow-up is essential in these patients.

Update on Prevention and Management of Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains the most common cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality globally in children and young adults. This article focuses on prevention and management of RHD. Pregnancy can unmask previously undiagnosed RHD and poses high risk for mother and fetus. Management of anticoagulation is important. Definitive catheter and surgical intervention are the only treatments that can improve outcomes of patients with moderate or severe RHD. Access to intervention remains very limited in RHD endemic regions. There are ongoing global efforts to increase awareness, public policy adoption, and greater access to treatment.

The Treatment of Acute Rheumatic Fever: Novel Use of Hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) suppresses an interleukin-1β-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor cytokine axis, reported to be dysregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of acute rheumatic fever patients ex vivo. We describe HCQ treatment for 2 patients with rheumatic carditis and a protracted inflammatory course. HCQ was associated with control of inflammatory markers, control of pericarditis in first patient and stabilization of progressive carditis in the second patient.

Rheumatic heart disease: current status of diagnosis and therapy

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the only preventable cardiovascular disease which causes significant morbidity and mortality particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Early clinical diagnosis is key, the updated Jones criteria increases the likelihood of diagnosis in endemic settings, including the echo diagnosis of sub-clinical carditis, polyarthralgia and monoarthritis as well as amended thresholds of minor criteria. The mainstay of rheumatic heart valve disease (RHVD) is a thorough clinical and echocardiographic investigation while severe disease is managed with medical, interventional and surgical treatment. In this report we detail some of the more recent epidemiological findings and focus on the diagnostic and interventional elements of the specific valve lesions. Finally, we discuss some of the recent efforts to improve medical and surgical management for this disease. As we are already more than a year from the historic 2018 World Heart Organization Resolution against Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease, we advocate strongly for renewed efforts to prioritize this disease across the endemic regions of the world.

Adult and Paediatric Cardiac Intervention in Timor-Leste: Disease Burden, Demographics and Clinical Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The East Timor Hearts Fund (ETHF) is a charitable organisation of Australian cardiologists providing outreach screening in Timor-Leste. For patients requiring intervention, ETHF arranges logistics, procedures, and postoperative care. The aim of this project is to evaluate outcomes of patients requiring intervention.

METHODS

The ETHF database of all patients was utilised to identify patients with disease warranting surgical or percutaneous intervention. Both patients who underwent intervention and those who did not proceed to intervention were included in this study. Patients who had intervention arranged by other organisations but have then had follow-up with ETHF were also included. Overall demographics and pre and postoperative factors were assessed, with sub-group analysis of adult and paediatric patients to identify any differences in care.

RESULTS

Of 221 patients requiring intervention, 101 patients underwent intervention, receiving 22 different operations or procedures. Patients were predominantly young (median age 17.5 years) and female (64.7%), with rheumatic heart disease (63.8%). Twenty-four (24) (33.3%) women aged 15-45 years old with cardiac disease warranting intervention were documented as pregnant or breastfeeding at time of clinic assessment. Of patients who did not proceed to intervention, adults were more likely to be lost to follow-up (42.4% vs 18.5%) while paediatric patients were more likely to experience progression of disease (18.5% vs 7.5%, p=0.005). Median waitlist time was 5 months, with no significant difference between adults and children, correlating with a preoperative mortality rate of 5.4%. For patients who underwent intervention, post-procedure mortality was extremely low (0.9%) and attendance of at least one post-procedure review was excellent (99.0%). Eleven (11) (10.9%) patients have required repeat intervention, with no difference in rates between adult and paediatric patients. Length of follow-up extends up to 20 years for some patients.

CONCLUSION

The Timor-Leste interventional cohort was predominantly a young female population with rheumatic and congenital cardiac disease. There were also high rates of pregnancy amongst female patients with severe cardiac disease. Delayed access to intervention may result in preoperative adverse events and mortality, and is a key target for improvement. Patients who undergo intervention have very low post-procedural mortality, good adherence to early medical follow-up and good long-term outcomes.

Predictors of Unfavourable Outcomes in Children and Adolescents Submitted to Surgical Mitral Valvuloplasty Secondary to Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease

Background

Mitral valve repair in paediatric patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease is superior to valve replacement and has been used with good results.

Objective

To identify predictors of unfavourable outcomes in children and adolescents submitted to surgical mitral valvuloplasty secondary to rheumatic heart disease.

Methods

Retrospective study of 54 patients under the age of 16 operated at a tertiary paediatric hospital between March 2011 and January 2017. The predictors of risk for unfavourable outcomes were: age, ejection fraction, degree of mitral insufficiency, degree of pulmonary hypertension, presence of tricuspid insufficiency, left chamber dilation, preoperative functional classification, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, duration of anoxia, presence of atrial fibrillation, and duration of vasoactive drug use. The outcomes evaluated were: death, congestive heart failure, reoperation, residual mitral regurgitation, residual mitral stenosis, stroke, bleeding and valve replacement. For all analyzes a value of p < 0.05 was established as significant.

Results

Of the patients evaluated, 29 (53.7%) were female, with an average of 10.5 ± 3.2 years. The functional classification of 13 patients (25%) was 4. There was no death in the sample studied. The average duration of extracorporeal circulation was 62.7±17.8 min, and anoxia 50 ± 15.7 min. The duration of use of vasoactive drug in the immediate postoperative period has an average of 1 day (interquartile interval 1-2 days). The logistic regression model was used to evaluate the predictive variables for each unfavourable outcome. The duration of use of vasoactive drug was the only independent predictor for the outcomes studied (p = 0.007). Residual mitral insufficiency was associated with reoperation (p = 0.044), whereas tricuspid insufficiency (p = 0.012) and pulmonary hypertension (p = 0.012) were associated with the presence of unfavourable outcomes.

Conclusion

The duration of vasoactive drug use is an independent predictor for unfavourable outcomes in the immediate and late postoperative period, while residual mitral regurgitation was associated with reoperation, and both tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension were associated with unfavourable outcomes.

Outcomes After Rheumatic Mitral Valve Repair in Children

BACKGROUND

It has been shown that mitral valve repair is superior to mechanical replacement in children with rheumatic heart disease; however there are limited data on the factors affecting the long-term durability of repaired mitral valves. This study describes outcomes after rheumatic mitral valve repair, with adaptation of a risk score to clarify some novel predictors of repair instability.

METHODS

A total of 79 children (median age, 11.4 years) with rheumatic heart disease underwent their first mitral valve surgery between 1997 and 2015. Patients with concomitant aortic and tricuspid repair were included. Mean follow-up time was 7.72 years. Mitral valve deterioration (defined as cardiac death, reoperation, or recurrent moderate to severe valvular disease) was used as a key end point. Preoperative echocardiographs were analyzed and graded with respect to valvular mobility, subvalvular apparatus alteration, and function.

RESULTS

All patients underwent successful mitral valve repair. Seven patients died during follow-up. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated survival at 15 years to be 83%. A total of 38 patients were deemed to have deterioration in mitral valve function, with a rate of freedom from deterioration at 15 years of 28%. The presence of an immobile anterior mitral leaflet preoperatively and the technique of posterior patch extension were shown to be significant determinants of mitral valve deterioration.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcomes after mitral repair for rheumatic heart disease in the young were in keeping with those reported in previous studies. Although the survival was high, long-term valve stability was poor. These findings suggest that the preoperative finding of a restricted anterior mitral leaflet is a negative predictor of repair durability.

A meta-analysis of late outcomes of mitral valve repair in patients with rheumatic heart disease

Background

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a predominant health concern in developing countries. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the outcomes of mitral valve (MV) repair in patients with RHD, and identify predictors that may postoperatively affect treatment outcome.

Methods

A meta-analysis of eligible studies assessing patients undergoing MV repair with RHD and reporting the outcomes of MV repair, including 30-day mortality and long-term follow-up survival, MV reoperation rate and postoperative adverse events. Relevant English articles were searched up to 1 March, 2017 in Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, EmBase, Elsevier, and Science Direct. Selected studies should meet all inclusion criteria, and underwent data extraction.

Results

A total of ten studies with 2,770 patients met all inclusion criteria, and were selected for assessment. Pooled analysis showed that 30-day mortality in patients with rheumatic MV disease after MV repair surgery was 1.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.8-2.9%); long-term survival was 97.3%, 95% CI (95.9-98.6%), and a freedom from reoperation rate of 93.6%, 95% CI (91.4-95.9%) was obtained; freedom from adverse events was 97.5%, 95% CI (95.2-99.8%).

Conclusions

The outcome of rheumatic MV repair is outstanding in terms of low early mortality, high long-term survival and freedom from valve-related complications, which may be very common in patients after rheumatic MV replacement; meanwhile, MV reoperation rate after initial surgery is acceptable. Surgeons may try to repair MV in RHD when it is feasible.

Outcomes after mitral valve surgery for rheumatic heart disease

Objective

To further the understanding of the factors influencing outcome following rheumatic heart disease (RHD) related mitral valve surgery, which globally remains an important cause of heart disease and a particular problem in Indigenous Australians.

Methods

The Australian Cardiac Surgery Database was utilised to assess outcomes following mitral valve repair and replacement for RHD and non-RHD valve disease. The association with aetiology, demographics, comorbidities, preoperative status and operative procedure was evaluated.

Results

Mitral valve repairs and replacements undertaken in Australia were analysed from 119 and 1078 RHD surgical procedures and 3279 and 2400 non-RHD procedures, respectively. RHD mitral valve repair, compared with replacement, resulted in a slightly shorter hospital stay and more reoperation for valve dysfunction, but no difference in 30-day survival. In unadjusted survival analysis to 5 years, RHD mitral valve repair and replacement were no different (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.7), non-RHD repair was superior to replacement (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.0), RHD and non-RHD repair were no different (HR 0.9, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.7), and RHD replacement was superior to non-RHD (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.9). None of these differences persisted in adjusted analyses and there was no difference in long-term survival for Indigenous Australians.

Conclusion

In this large prospective cohort study we have demonstrated that adjusted long-term survival following RHD mitral valve repair surgery in Australia is no different to replacement and no different to non-RHD. Interpretation of valve surgery outcome requires careful consideration of patient factors that may also influence survival.

Group A Streptococcus, Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease: Epidemiology and Clinical Considerations

OPINION STATEMENT

Early recognition of group A streptococcal pharyngitis and appropriate management with benzathine penicillin using local clinical prediction rules together with validated rapi-strep testing when available should be incorporated in primary health care. A directed approach to the differential diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever now includes the concept of low-risk versus medium-to-high risk populations. Initiation of secondary prophylaxis and the establishment of early medium to long-term care plans is a key aspect of the management of ARF. It is a requirement to identify high-risk individuals with RHD such as those with heart failure, pregnant women, and those with severe disease and multiple valve involvement. As penicillin is the mainstay of primary and secondary prevention, further research into penicillin supply chains, alternate preparations and modes of delivery is required.

Rheumatic Heart Disease: The Unfinished Global Agenda

Primarily affecting the young, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a neglected chronic disease commonly causing premature morbidity and mortality among the global poor. Standard clinical prevention and treatment is based on studies from the early antimicrobial era, as research investment halted soon after the virtual eradication of the disease from developed countries. The emergence of new global data on disease burden, new technologies, and a global health equity platform have revitalized interest and investment in RHD. This review surveys past and current evidence for standard RHD diagnosis and treatment, highlighting gaps in knowledge.

Update on rheumatic heart disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose is to provide a broad overview of the current state of knowledge of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies on pathogenesis of RHD have focused on autoimmunity because of molecular mimicry between the streptococcal M antigen α-helical coiled-coil structure and sarcomeric proteins such as myosin and tropomyosin. More recently, nonsarcomeric autoantigens, endothelial injury and the innate immune system have been proposed to play key roles in the pathogenesis of RHD. In the 2015 revised Jones Criteria, the importance of echocardiography and subclinical carditis in the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever is highlighted. Experimental studies with targeted anti-inflammatory therapeutics have been largely unsuccessful and the only established treatment is still lifelong antibiotics. Efforts to improve patient selection and outcomes with percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty are ongoing. With regard to surgical management, several groups have demonstrated excellent operative and midterm outcomes from valve repair as opposed to valve replacement.

SUMMARY

There are still many unanswered questions regarding RHD pathogenesis. The only accepted medical treatment is still long-term antibiotic therapy, whereas advances in mitral repair techniques have led to successful durable repairs being performed in high-volume, expert centers.

Cardiac surgery in Africa: a thirty-five year experience on open heart surgery in Cote d'Ivoire

BACKGROUND

Few centers for open heart surgery (OHS) are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Lack of OHS results is also noted. By reporting our African experience on OHS, the aim of this study was to fill the gap.

METHODS

It is a retrospective study on 2,612 patients who were subject to an OHS between 1978 and 2013. Data were collected from demographical, clinical, investigative studies, surgical and outcomes parameters.

RESULTS

There were 1,475 cases of rheumatic heart diseases (RHD), 126 endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF), 741 congenital heart diseases (CHDs) and 270 various affections. Related to rheumatic valvular surgery we enumerated 1,175 monovalvular (mitral n=778, aortic n=336, tricuspid n=61); 280 bivalvular (mitral + aortic n=150, mitral + tricuspid n=130) and 20 trivalvular. For RHD, average age was 26±10.1 years (4-69 years) and 60% of our patients presented a functional class III or IV according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. A total of 1,481 valvular replacements (bioprostheses n=489, mechanical prostheses n=992) and 445 valvular repair were carried out with a global and late mortality surgery respectively at 7% and 8%. One hundred and twenty-six [126] cases of EMF with right sided form 39, left sided form 40, and bilateral form 47 were colligated. Average age was 12±0.6 years (2-15 years). All patients with EMF underwent surgery; an endocardectomy in all patients combined with valvular reconstruction (n=36) or valvular replacement (n=90) was carried out with a hospital mortality at 16% (n=20). Concerning CHD, the most frequent were ventricular septal defect (VSD) (n=240), atrial septal defect (ASD) (n=200), partial atrio-ventricular sepal defect (n=30) and tetralogy of Fallot (T4F) (n=220), a total correction was performed for those CHD with an early mortality at 6.4% (n=44).

CONCLUSIONS

OHS in Cote d'Ivoire was successfully performed in most of our patients, the spectrum of acquired valvular heart diseases and CHDs in our country is similar to others in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Valvular aspects of rheumatic heart disease

Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease remain major global health problems. Although strategies for primary and secondary prevention are well established, their worldwide implementation is suboptimum. In patients with advanced valvular heart disease, mechanical approaches (both percutaneous and surgical) are well described and can, for selected patients, greatly improve outcomes; however, access to centres with experienced staff is very restricted in regions that have the highest prevalence of disease. Development of diagnostic strategies that can be locally and regionally provided and improve access to expert centres for more advanced disease are urgent and, as yet, unmet clinical needs. We outline current management strategies for valvular rheumatic heart disease on the basis of either strong evidence or expert consensus, and highlight areas needing future research and development.

Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is the result of an autoimmune response to pharyngitis caused by infection with group A Streptococcus. The long-term damage to cardiac valves caused by ARF, which can result from a single severe episode or from multiple recurrent episodes of the illness, is known as rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and is a notable cause of morbidity and mortality in resource-poor settings around the world. Although our understanding of disease pathogenesis has advanced in recent years, this has not led to dramatic improvements in diagnostic approaches, which are still reliant on clinical features using the Jones Criteria, or treatment practices. Indeed, penicillin has been the mainstay of treatment for decades and there is no other treatment that has been proven to alter the likelihood or the severity of RHD after an episode of ARF. Recent advances - including the use of echocardiographic diagnosis in those with ARF and in screening for early detection of RHD, progress in developing group A streptococcal vaccines and an increased focus on the lived experience of those with RHD and the need to improve quality of life - give cause for optimism that progress will be made in coming years against this neglected disease that affects populations around the world, but is a particular issue for those living in poverty.

Challenges in rheumatic valvular disease: Surgical strategies for mitral valve preservation

In developing countries, rheumatic fever and carditis still constitutes a major public health problem. Patients have special characteristics that differ from those with rheumatic mitral valve disease we still see in developed countries. They are usually young, poor, uneducated, and have low compliance to prophylaxis / therapy. In addition, they usually have great difficulty in accessing medical care. In these situations, the rate of complications associated to valve replacement is significantly increased. Alternatively, mitral valve repair is now known to achieve better long-term results in this pathology, but this was not widely recognized three or four decades ago, when first reports showed worse results after repair of rheumatic regurgitation than with degenerative valves. This has been reported by several groups in developing countries in different continents, with high incidence of repairs and excellent long term results. It is, therefore, becoming increasingly clear that, although, the results may not compare to those obtained with degenerative pathology, repair of rheumatic valves, when feasible, is the procedure of choice, especially in these underprivileged populations.

Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in resource-limited settings

Poststreptococcal complications, such as acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), are common in resource-limited settings, with RHD recognised as the most common cause of paediatric heart disease worldwide. Managing these conditions in resource-limited settings can be challenging. We review the investigation and treatment options for ARF and RHD and, most importantly, prevention methods in an African setting.

Historical aspects of rheumatic fever

Few diseases have experienced such a remarkable change in their epidemiology over the past century, without the influence of a vaccine, than rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever has all but disappeared from industrialised countries after being a frequent problem in the 1940s and 1950s. That the disease still occurs at high incidence in resource limited settings and in Indigenous populations in industrialised countries, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, is an indication of the profound effect of socio-economic factors on the disease. Although there have been major changes in the epidemiology of rheumatic fever, diagnosis remains reliant on careful clinical judgement and management is remarkably similar to that 50 years ago. Over the past decade, increasing attention has been given to rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease as public health issues, including in Australia and particularly in New Zealand, as well as in selected low and middle income countries. Perhaps the greatest hope for public health control of rheumatic fever is the development of a vaccine against Streptococcus pyogenes, and there are encouraging initiatives in this area. However, an effective vaccine is some time away and in the meantime public health efforts need to focus on effective translation of the known evidence around primary and secondary prophylaxis into policy and practice.

A review of valve surgery for rheumatic heart disease in Australia

BACKGROUND

Globally, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains an important cause of heart disease. In Australia it particularly affects older non-Indigenous Australians and Aboriginal Australians and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. Factors associated with the choice of treatment for advanced RHD remain variable and poorly understood.

METHODS

The Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons Cardiac Surgery Database was analysed. Demographics, co-morbidities, pre-operative status and valve(s) affected were collated and associations with management assessed.

RESULTS

Surgical management of 1384 RHD and 15843 non-RHD valve procedures was analysed. RHD patients were younger, more likely to be female and Indigenous Australian, to have atrial fibrillation (AF) and previous percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty (PBV). Surgery was performed on one valve in 64.5%, two valves in 30.0% and three valves in 5.5%. Factors associated with receipt of mechanical valves in RHD were AF (OR 2.69) and previous PBV (OR 1.98) and valve surgery (OR 3.12). Predictors of valve repair included being Indigenous (OR 3.84) and having fewer valves requiring surgery (OR 0.10). Overall there was a significant increase in the use of mitral bioprosthetic valves over time.

CONCLUSIONS

RHD valve surgery is more common in young, female and Indigenous patients. The use of bioprosthetic valves in RHD is increasing. Given many patients are female and younger, the choice of valve surgery and need for anticoagulation has implications for future management of RHD and related morbidity, pregnancy and lifestyle plans.