Rheumatic Heart Disease in Children: Epidemiological Aspects. Diagnostic and Evolutive at the Dakar Chu

Rheumatic heart disease is the ultimate consequence of acute articular rheumatism. It remains a public health problem in developing countries. It is a pathology found in all countries of the world, with a clear predominance in developing countries. In Senegal, the hospital prevalence of rheumatic heart disease is 30.5%. Its seriousness lies in the risk of valvular sequel responsible for cardiac dysfunction that can lead to death. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic and evolutionary aspects of rheumatic heart disease at the Albert Royer National Hospital Center of child (CHNEAR). We had carried out a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study lasting 3 years from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. All children aged 4 to 17 hospitalized at CHNEAR for rheumatic heart disease were included. The hospital prevalence was 0.8%. The average age was 10.9 years with a sex ratio of 0.875 in favor of girls. 85.47% of cases came from parents who had a low economic level of life. The history of repeated angina and acute articular rhumatism (AAR) was found respectively in 22.69 and 15.13% of cases. The clinical symptomatology was dominated by heart failure with 58.3% of cases, arthralgia in 7.5% of cases. The biological inflammatory syndrome was found in 86.1%. 73% of the patients had a positive antistreptolysin O antibody (ASLO). Cardiomegaly was found in 89.7%. Heart doppler ultrasound found polyvalvular involvement in more than half of the cases. Mitral insufficiency was the predominant valve disease in 98.20% of cases. The evolution was favorable in the majority of cases but 9.32% of deaths were observed.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) on Rheumatic Heart Disease among Senior Medical Students in Cameroon

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the commonest cause of valvular heart disease in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). The low cardiologist to patient ratio leaves a big challenge of RHD prevention and management to general practitioners in Cameroon. This makes it important to assess the aptitude of senior medical students who are doctors-to-be on RHD. This could thus give a base on which to increase awareness and decrease the burden of the disease. Therefore, we sort to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of senior medical students on rheumatic heart disease. General objective: To determine the level of knowledge, attitudes on rheumatic heart disease, and assess practices towards RHD and its prevention. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four medical schools in Cameroon for a period of 3 months (from January 1st to April 1st, 2019). The senior medical students were recruited using a structured self-administered questionnaire and electronic forms. Data were entered into an excel spreadsheet and analysed with IBM SPSS version 25.0 for windows. The knowledge level was divided into tertiles (poor, moderate and good) while the attitudes and practices were divided into poor or good. Association to KAP was evaluated and Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: In total, 509 senior medical students (6th and 7th year) were recruited. The mean age was 24.6 (SD ± 1.7) with 53.2% of students in the 19 to 24 years-old range. There were more females (51.7%) and level 6 students (50.1%). Most of the students had moderate knowledge (58.2%), with good attitudes and practices on rheumatic heart disease and its prevention. One-quarter of the students had good knowledge, attitudes, and practices on rheumatic heart disease. Lecture on RHD, history of sore throat and study in faculty of health science (FHS) was associated with good knowledge, attitudes, and practices on RHD. Conclusion: Despite having most of the senior medical students (6th and 7th years) in Cameroon with moderate to good knowledge of RHD, only a third has an above-average knowledge. There is a modest knowledge of RHD that could be used as an important foundation upon which to build RHD educational programs to expand awareness and understanding. Every 1 in 4 senior medical students have good knowledge, attitude and practice on RHD.

Hospital Admissions and Mortality in Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease in Brazil: An Analysis from 2008 to 2018

Introduction: The Rheumatic Fever (RF) is a systemic inflammatory disease, caused by Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, predominating in children and adolescents. The clinical manifestations are varied and included in Jones Criteria for diagnosis. The cardiac manifestations are the most relevant, causing severe sequelae such as valvulitis. The RF is still a major public health problem in developing countries despite its primary prophylaxis being simple and effective if well applied. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the number of hospital admissions and deaths in Brazil from 2008 to 2018. Methodology: Cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative, documentary study with database provided by the Health Informatics Department of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (DATASUS). Results: In the studied period, a higher prevalence was observed among females (48,232 hospitalizations) and in the adult age group (59,270 hospitalizations and 3972 deaths). The total number of hospitalizations was 83,209 and the total number of deaths was 6572. The total mortality rate was 7.84. The region with the highest number of hospitalizations was the Southeast (22,863 hospitalizations). The total amount spent in hospitalizations was R$879,676,458.63, with an average value per hospitalization of R$ 10,496.21. The average length of stay was 12.7 days. Conclusion: Rheumatic heart disease is an important cause of hospitalizations in Brazil. Measures of early diagnosis and adequate treatment should be strongly stimulated.

Keratin 18 is an autoantibody of rheumatic heart disease

Objectives Autoantibodies play a key role in mechanism of rheumatic heart disease(RHD) and in this research,we focus on identifying the autoantibody in Chinese RHD patients which can be a potential molecular biomarker. Methods To construct RHD expression library,the total RNA of heart tissue of RHD patients was extracted and mRNA was isolated,purified and reverse-transcripted to long cDNA.Phage was used to recombining cDNA to be expression library.The library was immunoscreened by serum of active rheumatic fever patients,An autoantigen positive clone was immunoscreened.To identify the autoantibody,autoantibody gene was analysed by PCR,sequencing and bioinfor-matics. It also was subcloned and expressed in vitro.Western blotting was used to identify the expression protein and test cross-reaction effect with serum.Results An expression library with heart tissue of RHD patients was successfully established. The titer of the primary library was 3.3×10~6 pfu/ml, recombinant rate of it was 99%and 81%inserted segments were larger than 1 kb.A positive antoantibody gene was sreened and it is homologous to keratin 18.The recombined vector could expression objective protein in vitro which could be reacted with sera of active rheumatic fever patients and rheumatic heart disease patients,but could not be detected by sera of health persons.Conclusions It is an effective strategy to investigate autoantigens of Chinese RHD that constructing and immunoscreening heart tissues expression library. This research implied that keratin 18 was a candidate molecular biomarker of RHD.

“A Prospective Randomized Case-Control Study To Evaluate Mini Right Thoracotomy versus Conventional Sternotomy For Mitral Valve Repair In Rheumatic Heart Disease.”

Purpose: Right mini thoracotomy has been evaluated in many studies for mitral valve repair mainly in degenerative valvular disease but not in rheumatic heart disease. Mitral valve repair is more challenging in rheumatic etiology due to complexity of lesions. This prospective randomized case control study was designed to evaluate repair through mini right thoracotomy and to compare the clinical and echocardiographic outcomes with sternotomy in rheumatic patients. Methods: 25 patients of rheumatic heart disease underwent mitral valve repair through mini right thoracotomy (group I). Various clinical and functional parameters were compared with 25 patients of mitral valve repair through sternotomy (group II). On follow up the results were compared in both groups for clinical and echocardiographic parameters. Results: The various pre-operative demographic parameters were comparable in two groups. Equal rate of mitral valve repair (group I-21/25, 84% and group II-21/25, 84%) was achieved in both groups. The various intra-operative and post-operative clinical parameters were better in group I .There were equivalent functional and valve related outcomes in both groups in term of NYHA class (1.28 ± 0.613 vs 1.08 ± 0.276, P = 0.144), post-operative mitral valve area (2.43 ± 0.891 vs 2.82 ± 0.662, P = 0.090), incidence of more than mild mitral regurgitation (0) and mean pressure gradient across mitral valve (4.98 ± 3.33 vs 4.23 ± 1.5, P = 0.309). Conclusion: Mitral valve repair through mini right thoracotomy approach in rheumatic etiology is feasible and safe with equivalent rate of successful repair as compared to median sternotomy. It is associated with lesser morbidity, cosmetic advantage and lesser resource utilization.

Evaluation of the Effect of Irbesartan Combined with PMA on Arrhythmia and Cardiac Function in Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of irbesartan combined with potassium magnesium aspartate(PMA)in the treatment of rheumatic heart disease.Methods:A total of 316 patients with rheumatic heart disease who were treated in our hospital during the period of March 2018 to January 2021 were selected as the research objects.According to the different treatment methods,they were divided into group A(treatment with irbesartan only)and group B(Using Irbesartan combined with PMA treatment),analyze and compare the cardiac function,diastolic blood pressure,systolic blood pressure,heart rate and clinical treatment effect of the two groups of patients after treatment.Results:After treatment,the left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),left atrial diameter(LAD),and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD)of the two groups were significantly lower than before treatment,and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)was significantly higher than after treatment,(P<0.05),and the improvement of the above indicators in group B was significantly better than that of group A,(P<0.05).After treatment,the diastolic blood pressure,systolic blood pressure and heart rate of group B were significantly lower than those of group A,(P<0.05);the total effective rate of treatment in group B(87.4%)was higher than that of group A(76.3%),(P<0.05).Conclusion:Irbesartan combined with PMA in the treatment of rheumatic heart disease has a better clinical effect than irbesartan alone.It can promote the reconstruction of ventricular function,improve the clinical symptoms of patients,prevent heart failure,and can effectively promote the recovery of cardiac function in patients.

Effect of Psychological Nursing on the Mental State and Quality of Life of Patients After Heart Valve Replacement for Rheumatic Heart Disease

Objective:To explore the effect of psychological nursing on the mental state and quality of life of patients after heart valve replacement for rheumatic heart disease.Methods:Seventy-four patients with rheumatic heart disease that underwent heart valve replacement in Zhenjiang First People's Hospital from January 2017 to May 2020 were selected as the research subjects.Thirty-seven patients that were treated from January 2017 to September 2018 were included in the control group.Routine care was provided for the patients in the control group.From October 2018 to May 2020,the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery improved their preoperative and postoperative psychological care.Thirty-seven patients that were treated during this period were included in the research group.The research group received psychological nursing care in addition to routine care.The efiects of different nursing modes on the quality of life and postoperative mental state of the patients were determined.Results:The scores for depression,anxiety,somatization,and compulsion in the research group were significantly lower than those in the control group(p<0.05);the scores for the quality of life of patients in the research group were significantly higher than those in the control group(p<0.05).Conclusions:Strengthening psychological nursing for patients with rheumatic heart disease is helpful to improve their quality of life and mental state after heart valve replacement.

Rheumatic valvular heart disease treated with traditional Chinese medicine:A case report

BACKGROUND Rheumatic heart disease(RHD)is an autoimmune disease that leads to irreversible valve damage and heart failure.Surgery is an effective treatment;however,it is invasive and carries risks,restricting its broad application.Therefore,it is essential to find alternative nonsurgical treatments for RHD.CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old woman was assessed with cardiac color Doppler ultrasound,left heart function tests,and tissue Doppler imaging evaluation at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University.The results showed mild mitral valve stenosis with mild to moderate mitral and aortic regurgitation,confirming a diagnosis of rheumatic valve disease.After her symptoms became severe,with frequent ventricular tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia>200 beats per minute,her physicians recommended surgery.During a 10-day preoperative waiting period,the patient asked to be treated with traditional Chinese medicine.After 1 week of this treatment,her symptoms improved significantly,including resolution of the ventricular tachycardia,and the surgery was postponed pending further follow-up.At 3-month follow-up,color Doppler ultrasound showed mild mitral valve stenosis with mild mitral and aortic regurgitation.Therefore,it was determined that no surgical treatment was required.CONCLUSION Traditional Chinese medicine treatment effectively relieves symptoms of RHD,particularly mitral valve stenosis and mitral and aortic regurgitation.

Anti-endothelial cell antibody rich sera from rheumatic heart disease patients induces proinflammatory phenotype and methylation alteration in endothelial cells

Rheumatic heart disease(RHD)is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in developing nations like India.RHD commonly affects the mitral valve which is lined by a single layer of endothelial cells(ECs).The role of ECs in mitral valve damage during RHD is not well elucidated.In here,anti-endothelial cell antibody from RHD patients has been used to stimulate the ECs(HUVECs and HMVECs).ECs proinflammatory phenotype with increased expression of TNFa,IL-6,IL-8,IFNg,IL-1b,ICAM1,VCAM1,E-selectin,laminin B,and vimentin was documented in both ECs.The promoter hypomethylation of various key inflammatory cytokines(TNFa,IL-6,and IL-8),integrin(ICAM1)associated with leukocyte transendothelial migration,and extracellular matrix genes(vimentin,and laminin)were also observed.Further,the in-vitro data was in accordance with ex-vivo observations which correlated significantly with the etiological factors such as smoking,socioeconomic status,and housing.Thus,the study sheds light on the role of ECs in RHD which is a step forward in the elucidation of disease pathogenesis.

The prognostic role of postoperative serum creatinine(within 24 hours)for in-hospital and one-year mortality in middle-aged and aged patients with rheumatic heart disease

Background Increased serum creatinine(SCr)was common after cardiac surgery and associated with poor outcomes.However,the prognostic role of postoperative SCr level measured on the morning of the first day was unclear in middle-aged and aged patients with rheumatic heart disease(RHD)undergoing valve replacement surgery(VRS).Methods Consecutive middle-aged and aged patients(age≥45 years)diagnosed with RHD undergoing at least one valve replacement were enrolled.Patients were routinely taken into the intensive care unit(ICU)for special care within 1 hour after VRS.SCr was measured at ICU admission and on the first day morning(within 24 hours).Association of postoperative SCr level with in-hospital and one-year mortality was analyzed.Results 3919 patients were finally included and divided into 4 groups according to the quartiles of postoperative SCr level on the first day morning:<1.0 mg/d L(n=1064),1.0-1.2 mg/d L(n=892),1.2-1.5 mg/d L(n=956)and≥1.5 mg/d L(n=1007).SCr level measured on the first day morning following surgery was an independent predictor for in-hospital mortality(adjusted OR:3.42,95%CI:2.52-4.63,P<0.001)and 1-year mortality(adjusted HR:2.99,95%CI:2.32-3.86,P<0.001).SCr level measured at this time had a greater predictive power for inhospital mortality than that measured at the time of ICU admission after surgery(P<0.001).Cumulative one-year mortality was significantly higher in patients with upper postoperative SCr quartiles on the first day morning(Logrank:125.75,P<0.001).Conclusions Postoperative SCr level measured on the first day morning could serve as an early and powerful prognostic marker for in-hospital and one-year mortality in middle-aged and aged RHD patients undergoing VRS.Attention should be paid to RHD patients with increased postoperative SCr level within24 hours after surgery.

Isolated mitral valve replacement with Guangdong-Ⅰ porcine bioprostheses in rheumatic heart valve disease: analysis of 166 cases with long-term follow-up

Objective To study the long-term effects of mitral valve replacement with bioprostheses in rheumatic heart valve disease. Methods 166 patients with rheumatic heart valve disease underwent isolated mitral valve replacement from Jan. 1978 to Dec. 1985. 79 Patients were male and 87 female. Patients’ age ranged from 11 to 53 years [mean (29.4 ± 9.9) years]. The patients were classified into two groups: group 1 (age【 30 years) included 84 patients, group 2 (age≥30 years) 82 cases. Mean CTR is 0.68 *0.08. Most patients were in NYHA function class Ⅲ-Ⅳ. 76. 3% of patients had atrial fibrillation. 6 patients had pre-operative cerebral vascular accidents. Postoperative deaths were excluded. Follow-up extended from 0.4 year to 19.4 years. Results Actuarial estimate of survival rate at 14 years is (52.5 ± 7.0)%. Heart function was improved to class Ⅰ - Ⅱ in most of patients. Late structural valve deterioration occurred in 89 patients. Among them, 59 were re-operated. Actuarial estimate of freedom from

Body-temperature circadian rhythm in 67 patients after heart valve replacement surgery secondary to valvular heart disease

Purpose:Patient body temperature was monitored after cardiac valve replacement,in order to explore the characteristics of body-temperature circadian rhythm and the factors influencing that rhythm.Methods:A cohort of 67 patients who received cardiac valve replacement in a Fuzhou,Fujian province,China,general hospital underwent temperature measurements and analysis(by cosine curve)of their body-temperature circadian rhythm.A biological rhythm model was established through principal component analysis and evaluation of biological rhythm features.Multiple circadian parameters were included through linear regression analysis.Results:Patients’temperature after cardiac valve replacement exhibited circadian characteristics(p<0.05),among which the scores of temperature mesor,amplitude,and acrophase were respectively(37.61
0.08),(0.10
0.09),and33(e355,e119).Body-temperature rhythms were influenced by both gender and cardiopulmonary bypass time(p<0.05).Conclusion:Although some patients’circadian characteristics disappeared after cardiac valve replacement,circadian rhythms remained intact for most patients.Measures that were found to mitigate body-temperature circadian rhythm disruption included building a natural rhythm of light/darkness and decreasing cardiopulmonary bypass time.

Evaluation of Red Cell Distribution Width and Platelet Indices in Children with Chronic Heart Disease

Background: Platelets play a key role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Also red cell distribution width (RDW%) & platelet indices are a good predictor of clinical outcomes. Purpose: Study the relationship between RDW%, platelets count, mean platelet volume (MPVfl) and platelet distribution width (PDWfl) in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) or rheumatic heart diseases (RHD). Subjects and Methods: The study was carried on 151 children diagnosed as CHD or RHD selected from pediatric department of Al-Zahraa University Hospital and National Heart Institute. They were aged from 6 months to 12 years. Another 80 apparently healthy children were taken as controls. Complete blood count and echocardiography examination were evaluated for all participants. Results: The mean value of RDW% was increased in CHD and RHD than controls, RDW% higher in cyanotic CHD (CCHD) (either decompensated or compensated) than acyanotic CHD, and in decompensated RHD than compensated RHD with more than one valve affection. The mean platelets count were decreased in cyanotic than acyanotic CHD, platelets count were increased in decompensated than compensated RHD either with one valve or more than one valve affection. The mean values of MPV and PDW were increased in decompensated CHD, but it decreased in decompensated RHD. Conclusion: The RDW%, MPV and PDW considered as simple markers in the follow up of patients with CHD or RHD for early detection of serious complication.

Osler’s Subacute Infective Endocarditis on Rheumatic Heart: A Complicated Clinical Case That Reflects Four (4) Major Public Health Issues in Sub-Saharan Africa

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the endocardium and its structures (valves), most often of infectious origin, described by William Osler in 1885. In the 21st century, infective endocarditis remains a reality in our countries. We report a complicated case of infective endocarditis (IE). This is a 53-year-old woman, obese and passive smoker who died on the 5th day of her hospitalization following an infective endocarditis (IE) with bacterial strains resistant to the usual antibiotics: daughter of acute lithiasic cholecystitis, mother of major mitral valve perforation, brain abscess, ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation. All were responsible for septic shock and fatal coma. Surgical management of the infective endocarditis in the first hours of her admission could have improved her prognosis. To conclude, in addition to its interests and its clinical particularities, our present observation has highlighted major public health problems specific to our sub-Saharan African countries, namely: The problem of the double health burden, the problem of delays in seeking care, the problem of resistance to antibiotics and the problem of the insufficiency of reference health technical platforms.

Prevalence of Preoperative Anemia in Elective Rheumatic Valve Surgery at a Tertiary Care Center in Nepal

Background: Rheumatic Valvular Heart disease (RVHD) is common in developing countries often associated with anemia;however its burden is often overlooked. Anemic patients undergoing surgery are likely to receive blood transfusion, increasing morbidity and mortality. Prevalence of anemia in cardiac surgical patients are studied extensively, however its burden in RVHD is lacking. This study attempted to investigate the prevalence of preoperative anemia in RVHD and its effect on blood transfusion, morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing valve surgery. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Nepal. We considered 340 patients who underwent Rheumatic valve replacement surgery from 2014 January to December 2016 and data on their socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were extracted from the patient’s records. The analyses meeting the study objectives were conducted using IBM SPSS v25 for Windows (IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences, 2015IBM Corporation, New York, United States). Results: The prevalence of no anemia, mild, moderate, and severe anemia was 34.1%, 57.7%, 39.6%, 2.5%, respectively. The units of Red Blood Cell used for transfusion were 1.2 units, 2.0 units, 2.3 units, and 1.6 units in patients without anemia, and those with mild, moderate and severe anemia respectively. The incidence of reexploration was higher in patients with severe anemia as compared to the non anemic with an incidence of 66.6%. A proportion of the patients with no anemia, mild, moderate and severe anemia with less than 7 days stay in the intensive care unit were 89%, 82%, 84.7% and 100% respectively. The length of hospital stay more than 10 days was seen in 58.9%, 71.6%, 63% and 100% in patients with no anemia, mild, moderate and severe anemia. An overall incidence of mortality in anemic patients was 11% while in non anemic patients was 5.3%. Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia was high in the Nepalese patients with Rheumatic valvular heart disease planned for elective surgery. There was an increased incidence of blood transfusion, longer hospital stay, and increased mortality in anemic patients compared to their non anemic counterparts.

Community-acquired multidrug-resistant pneumonia,bacteraemia,and infective endocarditis:A case report

BACKGROUND The prevalence of multidrug-resistant(MDR)bacteria has increased globally,with extensive drug-resistant(XDR)bacteria posing a threat to patients.CASE SUMMARY This case report describes a young man admitted for suspected tropical fever infections who experienced rapid deterioration in health.Despite negative results for tropical fever infections,he had neutrophilic leucocytosis,acute kidney injury,and chest imaging findings suggestive of bilateral consolidations.On day two,he was diagnosed with infective endocarditis with possible rheumatic heart disease and MDR methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia,and communityacquired pneumonia.Despite treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics,he did not respond and succumbed to death on day five.CONCLUSION This case highlights that clinicians/public should be aware of MDR communityacquired pneumonia,bacteraemia,and endocarditis which ultimately culminate in high rates of morbidity and mortality.Early identification of pathogenic strain and prompt antibiotic treatment are a mainstay for the management and prevention of early fatalities.Simultaneously,route cause analysis of communityacquired MDR/XDR pathogens is a global need.

Expression of PDGFR-α in Patients with Valvular Atrial Fibrillation

Objective: To investigate the expression of Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFR-α) in patients who have valvular atrial fibrillation. Methods: In this research, eighty-four patients with rheumatic heart disease who were going to undertake cardiac surgery were included. The subjects were divided into two groups: the AF group and the sinus rhythm group, the quantities are 39 and 45 respectively. Before the surgery, baseline demographics, physical examination, routine laboratory testing, echocardiography, echocardiographic data and additional clinical data were available for all patients. The right atrial tissue of the subjects was separated during surgery, with an area of approximately 0.3 - 0.5 mm3. Immunofluorescence staining was used to analyze the distribution of PDGFR-α of atrial tissue. mRNA of PDGFR-α in atrial tissue were determined by real-time quantitative PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction);Western-Blot technique was used to measure the protein of PDGFR-α in atrial tissue. Results: There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in sex ratio, age, blood pressure, blood biochemistry, and other aspects of medical history between the two groups. However, the right and left atrium diameters in the AF group were markedly larger than those in the SR group (P α from right atrial tissue were obviously higher in the AF group than that in the SR group (P Conclusion: The expression of PDGFR-α in the right atrial tissue of patients with atrial fibrillation was found to be significantly higher.

Atrial Fibrillation: Epidemiological, Etiological and Hospital Management Aspects in Thies (Senegal)

Introduction: The objective of this work was to describe the epidemiological, etiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of atrial fibrillation (AF) in Thies, Senegal. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, multicentre, descriptive study from February 1st, to May 28th, 2019 carried out in the 3 hospitals of the city of Thies that focused on patients with AF documented by an ECG. Valvular and non-valvular AF classification was used and the CHA2DS2-VASc score was used to assess thromboembolic risk. Results: We collected 67 patients with a female predominance (M/F sex ratio of 0.71). The prevalence of AF was 1.7%. The average age of patients was 66.67 ± 13.48 years. Forty-eight patients (71.64%) had palpitations and 32 patients (47.76%) had heart failure. Hypertension was the most common etiological factor found in 41 patients (61.19%) followed by rheumatic valvular disease in 25 patients (37.31%). The non-valvular AF was found in 42 patients (62.69%) of which 34 (80.95%) had a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2. Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) were prescribed in 47 patients (79.66%) and aspirin alone in 12 patients (20.34%). Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) were not prescribed in any patient. Seven patients (10.44%) had a medical regulator treatment and no electrical cardioversion was performed. Conclusion: AF was a frequent rhythm disorder. Hypertension and rheumatic mitral valve disease were the most frequently associated etiological factors. The diagnosis was often late in the heart failure stage. Anticoagulant treatment was insufficiently prescribed and based exclusively on VKAs.

Group A streptococcal antigen exposed rat model to investigate neurobehavioral and cardiac complications associated with post-streptococcal autoimmune sequelae

Background:The neuropsychiatric disorders due to post-streptococcal autoimmune complications such as Sydenham's chorea(SC)are associated with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease(ARF/RHD).An animal model that exhibits char-acteristics of both cardiac and neurobehavioral defects in ARF/RHD would be an important adjunct for future studies.Since age,gender,strain differences,and geno-types impact on the development of autoimmunity,we investigated the behavior of male and female Wistar and Lewis rat strains in two age cohorts(6 weeks and 12 weeks)under normal husbandry conditions and following exposure to group A streptococcus(GAS).Methods:Standard behavioral assessments were performed to determine the impair-ments in fine motor control(food manipulation test),gait and balance(beam walk-ing test),and obsessive-compulsive behavior(grooming and marble burying tests).Furthermore,electrocardiography,histology,and behavioral assessments were per-formed on male and female Lewis rats injected with GAS antigens.Results:For control Lewis rats there were no significant age and gender dependent differences in marble burying,food manipulation,beam walking and grooming be-haviors.In contrast significant age-dependent differences were observed in Wistar rats in all the behavioral tests except for food manipulation.Therefore,Lewis rats were selected for further experiments to determine the effect of GAS.After ex-posure to GAS,Lewis rats demonstrated neurobehavioral abnormalities and cardiac pathology akin to SC and ARF/RHD,respectively.Conclusion:We have characterised a new model that provides longitudinal stability of age-dependent behavior,to simultaneously investigate both neurobehavioral and cardiac abnormalities associated with post-streptococcal complications.