Medical management of rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review of the evidence

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important cause of heart disease globally. Its management can encompass medical and procedural (catheter and surgical) interventions. Literature pertaining to the medical management of RHD from PubMed 1990-2016 and via selected article reference lists was reviewed...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Anne Russell, E., Walsh, W., Costello, B., McLellan, A., Brown, A., Reid, Christopher, Tran, L., Maguire, G.
Format: Journal Article
Published: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS 2018
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/74365
_version_ 1848763254545842176
author Anne Russell, E.
Walsh, W.
Costello, B.
McLellan, A.
Brown, A.
Reid, Christopher
Tran, L.
Maguire, G.
author_facet Anne Russell, E.
Walsh, W.
Costello, B.
McLellan, A.
Brown, A.
Reid, Christopher
Tran, L.
Maguire, G.
author_sort Anne Russell, E.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important cause of heart disease globally. Its management can encompass medical and procedural (catheter and surgical) interventions. Literature pertaining to the medical management of RHD from PubMed 1990-2016 and via selected article reference lists was reviewed. Areas included symptom management, left ventricular dysfunction, rate control in mitral stenosis, atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation, infective endocarditis prophylaxis, and management in pregnancy. Diuretics, angiotensin blockade and beta-blockers for left ventricular dysfunction, and beta-blockers and If inhibitors for rate control in mitral stenosis reduced symptoms and improved left ventricular function, but did not alter disease progression. Rhythm control for atrial fibrillation was preferred, and where this was not possible, rate control with beta-blockers was recommended. Anticoagulation was indicated where there was a history of cardioembolism, atrial fibrillation, spontaneous left atrial contrast, and mechanical prosthetic valves. While warfarin remained the agent of choice for mechanical valve implantation, non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants may have a role in RHD-related AF, particularly with valvular regurgitation. Evidence for anticoagulation after bioprosthetic valve implantation or mitral valve repair was limited. RHD patients are at increased risk of endocarditis, but the evidence supporting antibiotic prophylaxis before procedures that may induce bacteremia is limited and recommendations vary. The management of RHD in pregnancy presents particular challenges, especially regarding decompensation of previously stable disease, the choice of anticoagulation, and the safety of medications in both pregnancy and breast feeding.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T11:00:32Z
format Journal Article
id curtin-20.500.11937-74365
institution Curtin University Malaysia
institution_category Local University
last_indexed 2025-11-14T11:00:32Z
publishDate 2018
publisher LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling curtin-20.500.11937-743652019-07-16T03:32:41Z Medical management of rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review of the evidence Anne Russell, E. Walsh, W. Costello, B. McLellan, A. Brown, A. Reid, Christopher Tran, L. Maguire, G. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important cause of heart disease globally. Its management can encompass medical and procedural (catheter and surgical) interventions. Literature pertaining to the medical management of RHD from PubMed 1990-2016 and via selected article reference lists was reviewed. Areas included symptom management, left ventricular dysfunction, rate control in mitral stenosis, atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation, infective endocarditis prophylaxis, and management in pregnancy. Diuretics, angiotensin blockade and beta-blockers for left ventricular dysfunction, and beta-blockers and If inhibitors for rate control in mitral stenosis reduced symptoms and improved left ventricular function, but did not alter disease progression. Rhythm control for atrial fibrillation was preferred, and where this was not possible, rate control with beta-blockers was recommended. Anticoagulation was indicated where there was a history of cardioembolism, atrial fibrillation, spontaneous left atrial contrast, and mechanical prosthetic valves. While warfarin remained the agent of choice for mechanical valve implantation, non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants may have a role in RHD-related AF, particularly with valvular regurgitation. Evidence for anticoagulation after bioprosthetic valve implantation or mitral valve repair was limited. RHD patients are at increased risk of endocarditis, but the evidence supporting antibiotic prophylaxis before procedures that may induce bacteremia is limited and recommendations vary. The management of RHD in pregnancy presents particular challenges, especially regarding decompensation of previously stable disease, the choice of anticoagulation, and the safety of medications in both pregnancy and breast feeding. 2018 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/74365 10.1097/CRD.0000000000000185 LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS restricted
spellingShingle Anne Russell, E.
Walsh, W.
Costello, B.
McLellan, A.
Brown, A.
Reid, Christopher
Tran, L.
Maguire, G.
Medical management of rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review of the evidence
title Medical management of rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review of the evidence
title_full Medical management of rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review of the evidence
title_fullStr Medical management of rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review of the evidence
title_full_unstemmed Medical management of rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review of the evidence
title_short Medical management of rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review of the evidence
title_sort medical management of rheumatic heart disease: a systematic review of the evidence
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/74365