ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FEATURES IN CHILDREN WITH RHEUMATIC CARDITIS

Han X-ZH, Zhuang J-X, Wang J-R

Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, China

 

Objective: To evaluate the extent of damage of heart and the value of echocardiography in children with rheumatic carditis (RC).

Methods: The electrocardiogram ECG and echocardiography data were analysed in 228 children with RC, the diagnostic sensitivities of cardiac enlargement by two methods were compared and the echocardiographic changes after treatment were observed.

Results: 166 cases (72.8%) had abnormal ECG, in which atrioventricular block (AVB) was the most common finding (67 cases, 40.4%); In 166 cases examined by echocardiography before treatment, 162 cases had different degrees of cardiac enlargement, in which enlargement of LA (left atrium) constitute the majority (104 cases, 62.7% )all children had changes of cardiac valves, mainly displaying as mitral regurgitation (MR), mitral thickening(MT), mitral stenosis and aortic regurgitation, in which MR ranks first ( 108 cases65.1%). The diagnostic sensitivity of enlargement of LA or LV(left ventricle) by echocardiography was both much higher than that by ECG. Decreased cardiac functions such as EF, CI and E/A detected by echocardiography were found in some patients. MR and MT detected by echocardiography can disappear after regular anti-rheumatic therapy for 12 weeks.

Conclusions: Echocardiographic examination plays an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up of rheumatic carditis in children.

 

 
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