ISSN: 2578-482X
Authors: Cherian KM1*, Cherian SM1, Kabilan U1 and Rathinasamy J2
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a preventable cardiovascular disease highly prevalent in developing and underdeveloped countries, especially among women and children. According to the World Heart Federation (WHF), RHD claims 2% of cardiovascular deaths globally. It is caused by rheumatic fever, an inflammation caused by group A streptococcus bacteria leading to valvular dysfunctions eventually leading to death or life-long disability. Surgical valve replacements are being administered to treat valvular disorders in RHD patients. A 22-year-old South Asian female was presented with dyspnoea on exertion. Echocardiography confirms severe rheumatic heart disease with Aortic stenosis (AS), Mitral stenosis (MS), and Tricuspid stenosis (TS). Due to the recurrence of this problem along with other associated complications, the patient had triple valve replacement surgeries at different time points since 1988. These surgeries were uneventful and many secondary complications were regressed post-procedure. This article documents a cardiac auto transplant performed for a triple valve replacement with a 35-year follow-up suggesting that auto transplantation with triple valve replacement improved the condition of the patient.
Keywords: Inflammation; Echocardiography; Dyspnoea; Rheumatic Heart Disease
