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Topçu S, Uçar T. Echocardiographic Screening of Rheumatic Heart Disease: Current Concepts and Challenges. Turk Arch Pediatr 2024; 59:3-12. [PMID: 38454255 PMCID: PMC10837514 DOI: 10.5152/turkarchpediatr.2024.23162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The incidence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), which most commonly affects children aged 5-15 years after group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection, ranges from 8 to 51 per 100 000 people worldwide. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), which occurs when patients with ARF are inappropriately treated or not given regular prophylaxis, is the most common cause of non-congenital heart disease in children and young adults in low-income countries. Timely treatment of GAS infection can prevent ARF, and penicillin prophylaxis can prevent recurrence of ARF. Secondary prophylaxis with benzathine penicillin G has been shown to decrease the incidence of RHD and is a key aspect of RHD control. The most important factor determining the prognosis of RHD is the severity of cardiac involvement. Although approximately 70% of patients with carditis in the acute phase of the disease recover without sequelae, carditis is important because it is the only complication of ARF that causes sequelae. One-third of patients with ARF are asymptomatic. Patients with mild symptoms of recurrent ARF and silent RHD will develop severe morbidities within 5-10 years if they do not receive secondary preventive treatments. A new screening program should be established to prevent cardiac morbidities of ARF in moderate- and highrisk populations. In the present study, we examined the applicability of echocardiographic screening programs for RHD. Cite this article as: Topçu S, Uçar T. Echocardiographic screening of rheumatic heart disease: Current concepts and challenges. Turk Arch Pediatr. 2024;59(1):3-12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seda Topçu
- Division of Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Tayfun Uçar
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Liang Y, Yu D, Lu Q, Zheng Y, Yang Y. The rise and fall of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: a mini review. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1183606. [PMID: 37288267 PMCID: PMC10242100 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1183606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The incidences of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), which were leading causes of death in children in the 1920s, have decreased substantially. Considering the recent resurgence of scarlet fever and increased incidence of streptococcal pharyngitis in children, an investigation of the current status of ARF and RHD may be worthwhile. Objective To summarize the prevalence trends, pathogenic factors, and prevention strategies for ARF and RHD in children. Methods A selective search of literature published between January 1920 and February 2023 was done in PubMed, using the terms "acute rheumatic fever", "rheumatic heart disease", "group A Streptococcus", "pharyngitis", "pharyngeal tonsillitis", "scarlet fever", "impetigo", "obstructive sleep apnea syndrome" and "child". Results Overcrowded homes and inadequate sanitation led to recurrent group A streptococcal infection, and the causal relationship between group A streptococcal infection and ARF/RHD was well established. Streptococcal infectious diseases, such as group A streptococcal pharyngeal tonsillitis, SF, impetigo, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, were associated with the occurrence of ARF and RHD. ARF and RHD were still prevalent in young people of developing countries and economically poor populations of high-income countries. Universal disease registration systems were critical to locating disease outbreaks, tracking disease transmission, and identifying high-risk populations. Four-level prevention strategies were effective in reducing the incidence and mortality of ARF and RHD. Conclusions Registry and preventive measures for ARF and RHD should be strengthened in areas of dense population; poor sanitation; resurgence of SF; and high incidence of streptococcal pharyngitis, impetigo, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunmei Liang
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dingle Yu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qinghua Lu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Microbiology Laboratory, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuejie Zheng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yonghong Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Microbiology Laboratory, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Özışık K. Contemporary outcomes of rheumatic mitral valve surgery in the mid-Atlantic region. J Card Surg 2022; 37:1875-1876. [PMID: 35245403 DOI: 10.1111/jocs.16370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kanat Özışık
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
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Hawkins RB, Strobel RJ, Mehaffey JH, Quader MA, Joseph M, Ailawadi G. Contemporary prevalence and outcomes of rheumatic mitral valve surgery. J Card Surg 2022; 37:1868-1874. [PMID: 35220630 PMCID: PMC9303441 DOI: 10.1111/jocs.16369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Objective Rheumatic mitral valve disease is often viewed as a historic disease in North America with limited contemporary data. We hypothesized that rheumatic pathology remains common and has worse short‐term outcomes and higher resource utilization compared to other mitral valve pathologies. Method All patients undergoing mitral valve repair or replacement (2011–2019) were extracted from a regional Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. Resource utilization metrics included inflation‐adjusted hospital costs. Patients were stratified by mitral valve pathology for univariate analysis. Result Out of the 6625 mitral valve procedures, 835 (12.6%) were from rheumatic disease, a proportion that incrementally increased over time (+0.39% per year, p = .032). Among 19 hospitals, there was high variability in number of rheumatic mitral operations (median: 22, interquartile range [IQR]: 5–80) and rate of rheumatic repairs (median: 3%, IQR: 0%–6%). Rheumatic patients were younger (62 vs. 65, p < .0001), more often female (75% vs. 43%, p < .001) and with greater burden of heart failure, multi‐valve disease, and lung disease, but less coronary disease. There were no differences in operative mortality (5.2% vs. 5.0%, p = .85) or major morbidity (22.2% vs. 21.8%, p = .83). However, resource utilization was higher for rheumatic patients, including more frequent transfusions (43% vs. 39%, p = .012), longer ICU (73 vs. 64 h, p < .0001) and postoperative length of stay (8 vs. 7 days, p < .0001). Conclusions Rheumatic mitral disease accounts for a meaningful (12%) and rising percentage of mitral valve operations in the region, with high variability among hospitals. Rheumatic mitral surgery yielded similar short‐term outcomes compared to nonrheumatic pathology, but required greater resource utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B. Hawkins
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
| | - Raymond J. Strobel
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
| | - J. Hunter Mehaffey
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
| | - Mohammed A. Quader
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia USA
| | - Mark Joseph
- Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Carilion Clinic/Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Roanoke Virginia USA
| | - Gorav Ailawadi
- Department of Cardiac Surgery University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
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Wegener A, Holm AE, Gomes LC, Lima KO, Kaagaard MD, Matos LO, Vieira IVM, de Souza RM, Marinho CRF, Nascimento BR, Biering-Sørensen T, Silvestre OM, Brainin P. Prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in adults from the Brazilian Amazon Basin. Int J Cardiol 2022; 352:115-122. [PMID: 35065154 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) continues to be a burden in low- and middle-income countries and prevalence estimates are lacking from South America. We aimed to determine the prevalence of RHD in the Brazilian Amazon Basin. METHODS We examined a random sample of adults (≥18 years) from the general population, who underwent echocardiographic image acquisition by a medical doctor. All images were analyzed according to (i) the 2012 World Heart Federation criteria and (ii) a simplified algorithm for RHD from a previously validated risk score (categories: low-, medium-, high-risk) which involved assessment of the mitral valve (leaflet thickening and excessive motion, regurgitation jet length) and aortic valve (thickening and any regurgitation). RESULTS A total of 488 adults were screened (mean age 40 ± 15 years, 38% men). The prevalence of RHD was 39/1000 adults (n = 17 definite and n = 2 borderline). Fourteen (74%) had pathological mitral regurgitation, four (21%) mitral stenosis, 0 (0%) pathological aortic regurgitation and six (32%) both mitral and aortic valve disease. None had a prior diagnosis of RHD, 10 (53%) had positive cardiac auscultation and two (11%) reported a history of rheumatic fever. The simplified algorithm identified four (21%) adults as low-risk, six (32%) as intermediate, and nine (47%) as high-risk. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of RHD was 39/1000 in adults from the Brazilian Amazon Basin, indicating the need for screening programs in remote areas. A simplified model was only able to categorize every second case of RHD as high-risk. External validation of simplified screening models to increase feasibility in clinical practice are encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Wegener
- Multidisciplinary Center, Federal University of Acre, Câmpus Floresta, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil; Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Anna Engell Holm
- Multidisciplinary Center, Federal University of Acre, Câmpus Floresta, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil; Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Laura C Gomes
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karine O Lima
- Multidisciplinary Center, Federal University of Acre, Câmpus Floresta, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil
| | - Molly D Kaagaard
- Multidisciplinary Center, Federal University of Acre, Câmpus Floresta, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil; Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Luan O Matos
- Multidisciplinary Center, Federal University of Acre, Câmpus Floresta, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil
| | - Isabelle V M Vieira
- Multidisciplinary Center, Federal University of Acre, Câmpus Floresta, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Medeiros de Souza
- Multidisciplinary Center, Federal University of Acre, Câmpus Floresta, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno R Nascimento
- Serviço de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiovascular e Centro de Telessaúde, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Clínica Médica Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tor Biering-Sørensen
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Odilson M Silvestre
- Health and Sport Science Center, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil
| | - Philip Brainin
- Multidisciplinary Center, Federal University of Acre, Câmpus Floresta, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil; Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark.
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De Rose C, Buonsenso D, De Rosa G, Chiaretti A. Clinical applications of Lung Ultrasound in children in Pediatric Emergency Setting: a lesson from a child with severe heart disease. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2021; 92:e2021209. [PMID: 34212908 PMCID: PMC8343744 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v92i3.11351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background and aim: Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) often evolves in congestive heart failure with development of pulmonary edema after a asymptomatic, latent phase. In the last years, Lung Ultrasound (LUS) has gained a primary role in the diagnosis and management of pleuropulmonary disorders, also in pediatric practice, and in the diagnosis and follow-up of pulmonary edema through qualitative analysis of ultrasound B-lines. Aim of this case report is to keep high clinicians’ attention to the diagnosis of Rheumatic Heart Disease also in high-income countries and to deepen the role and importance of lung ultrasound in clinical practice, in diagnosis and follow-up of pediatric lung diseases, especially in emergency settings as happened in our case. Methods: We present the case of a 14-year-old Italian boy from a medium-low socio-economic and cultural class Italian family, who was diagnosed with severe and advanced stage RHD, which had remained undiagnosed until then. Results and Conclusions: In the diagnostic process of our case, LUS played a fundamental role because it quickly directed us, contextually to the clinical and anamnestic evaluation, towards the right diagnosis, in a Pediatric Emergency Department. In clinical practice, the only LUS findings and the only qualitative analysis of the B-lines, have note made clinicians able to make a clear characterization yet. Thus, the study of cardiovascular function, laboratory parameters, anamnestic and clinical data continue to be useful tools in order to assist LUS in the diagnostic processes of lung diseases, as in our case. (www.actabiomedica.it)
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina De Rose
- a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:46:"Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A.Gemelli";}.
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Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Rheumatic Aortic Stenosis: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Probl Cardiol 2021; 46:100843. [PMID: 33994024 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2021.100843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) mainly affects people in developing, low-income countries. However, due to globalization and migration, developed countries are now seeing more cases of RHD. In RHD patients who develop severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, surgical aortic valve replacement remains the treatment of choice. In the past decade, there has been an extension of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to intermediate-risk and lower-risk patients with aortic stenosis. This review suggests the possible utility of TAVR for the treatment of rheumatic aortic stenosis. Rheumatic aortic stenosis has been excluded from major TAVR studies due to the predominantly noncalcific pathology of the rheumatic aortic valve. However, there have been case reports and case series showing successful implantation of the valve even in patients with and without significant leaflet calcification. In this review article, we summarize the latest evidence of severe rheumatic aortic stenosis treated with TAVR and discuss the procedure's impact on patient care, safety, and efficacy.
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Mutagaywa RK, Wind AM, Kamuhabwa A, Cramer MJ, Chillo P, Chamuleau S. Rheumatic heart disease anno 2020: Impacts of gender and migration on epidemiology and management. Eur J Clin Invest 2020; 50:e13374. [PMID: 32789848 PMCID: PMC7757241 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epidemiology and management of diseases can be influenced by social demographic factors. Gender and migration are among these factors. METHODS We aimed at reviewing the impacts of gender and migration on rheumatic heart disease (RHD) epidemiology and management by a nonsystematic literature review of published studies on RHD worldwide. Our PubMed search terms included RHD pathophysiology, diagnosis, complications, management or prevention, combined with words 'rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS)', 'outcomes after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV)', 'gender or sex difference' and 'migration'. The reporting of this study conforms to SANRA (the Scale for Assessment of Narrative Review Articles) guidelines. RESULTS We retrieved eight studies about the impact of sex on outcomes after PBMV. All of these studies showed a female predominance for RHD. Two studies showed that there is no impact, three studies showed female sex as a predictor of poor outcomes, and the other three showed male sex a predictor of poor outcomes. Although RHD is reported to be eradicated in the developed countries, 2.1% of refugees recently screened for RHD in Italy were found to have subclinical RHD. This prevalence is similar to those found in India (2.0%), Cambodia (2.2%) and Mozambique (3%). CONCLUSIONS There are contradicting results for outcomes after PBMV between males and females. It is not clear whether sex difference plays a role in pathophysiology, diagnosis, management and prognosis of MS. Migration has impacts on epidemiology and management of RHD. Further studies are required in these two fields to explore their relationship to RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reuben K Mutagaywa
- School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.,Division of Heart and Lung, Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anna-Maria Wind
- Division of Heart and Lung, Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Apolinary Kamuhabwa
- School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Maarten J Cramer
- Division of Heart and Lung, Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pilly Chillo
- School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Steven Chamuleau
- Division of Heart and Lung, Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Division of Heart and Lung, Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Soesanto AM, Suastika LOS. Echocardiography Screening for Latent Rheumatic Heart Disease: What Can We Do in Indonesia? Front Surg 2020; 7:46. [PMID: 32974379 PMCID: PMC7466630 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2020.00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), a sequela of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), is a preventable disease but remains a significant health problem, especially in developing countries. It causes disability, poor quality of life, early mortality, and national economic burden. The World Heart Federation (WHF) aimed to achieve a 25% reduction in premature deaths from ARF and RHD among individuals aged <25 years by 2025. Primordial and primary prophylaxis of RHD is aimed to prevent the occurrence of ARF, while the goal of secondary and tertiary prophylaxis is to limit the progression and reduce the consequences of RHD. Early recognition of RHD is important for early prophylaxis strategies to inhibit any progression to advanced stages. In 2012, WHF introduced the latest echocardiographic criteria to recognize the early stage of RHD. This includes the evaluation of pathological regurgitation jet and morphological features of RHD based on 2D, color, and spectral Doppler criteria. In remote areas, portable echocardiography is preferable for RHD screening. Previous portable devices were only capable of producing 2D and color images. Hence, a simplified echocardiographic criterion without spectral Doppler evaluation is needed in selected areas. Indonesia is a developing country, an archipelago with a population of over 250 million. Currently, there are no data on ARF incidence and RHD prevalence nationwide. The only data available are the number of patients in advanced stages who came to referral centers for further management. The screening program has to be introduced in Indonesia as part of national RHD prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amiliana M Soesanto
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia/National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Luh Oliva Saraswati Suastika
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Udayana University Hospital, Denpasar, Indonesia
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