Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Abstract

Mortality Due to Rheumatic Heart Disease in Developing World: A Preventable Problem

Arun prasad*, Sanjeev Kumar, Birendra Kr. Singh and Neelam Kumari

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has been a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in underdeveloped and developing countries, since this disease has been identified. Its prevalence has significantly come down in developed countries but this still remains an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of younger age group in underprivileged world. The most important fact associated with this condition is, this is a preventable problem and a lot of morbidity and mortality can be avoided with proper preventive measures.

Objective: This study was conducted to know one year mortality with RHD in Indira Gandhi Institute of cardiology Patna, one of the largest referral cardiac centers of of northern India, to estimate the disease burden of this preventable problem in this province.

Methods and Results: A retrospective study of medical records was done for the patients died during year 2013, with rheumatic heart disease at Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology, Patna. This tertiary cardiac center in northern India witnessed a total of 120 deaths with RHD during the year 2013.

Conclusion: 120 deaths due to RHD in a year in a referral cardiac center of northern India is significant and points towards the disease burden of this preventable problem in the province.