Penyakit Jantung Reumatik

Definisi

Penyakit jantung reumatik adalah sebuah kondisi dimana terjadi kerusakan permanen dari
katup-katup jantung yang disebabkan oleh demam reumatik. Penyakit jantung reumatik
(PJR) merupakan komplikasi yang membahayakan dari demam reumatik. Katup-katup
jantung tersebut rusak karena proses perjalanan penyakit yang dimulai dengan infeksi
tenggorokan yang disebabkan oleh bakteri Streptococcus β hemoliticus tipe A (contoh:
Streptococcus pyogenes), yang bisa menyebabkan demam reumatik. Kurang lebih 39 %
pasien dengan demam reumatik akut bisa terjadi kelainan pada jantung mulai dari
insufisiensi katup, gagal jantung, perikarditis bahkan kematian. Dengan penyakit jantung
reumatik yang kronik, pada pasien bisa terjadi stenosis katup dengan derajat regurgitasi
yang berbeda-beda, dilatasi atrium, aritmia dan disfungsi ventrikel. Penyakit jantung
reumatik masih menjadi penyebab stenosis katup mitral dan penggantian katup pada
orang dewasa di Amerika Serikat.

Gejala Klinis

Demam reumatik merupakan kumpulan sejumlah gejala dan tanda klinik. Demam
reumatik merupakan penyakit pada banyak sistem, mengenai terutama jantung, sendi,
otak dan jaringan kulit. Tanda dan gejala akut demam reumatik bervariasi tergantung
organ yang terlibat dan derajat keterlibatannya. Biasanya gejala-gejala ini berlangsung
satu sampai enam minggu setelah infeksi oleh Streptococcus. Gejala klinis pada penyakit
jantung reumatik bisa berupa gejala kardiak (jantung) dan non kardiak (jantung).
Gejalanya antara lain:

q Manifestasi kardiak dari demam reumatik

• Pankarditis (radang pada jantung) adalah komplikasi paling serius dan kedua
paling umum dari demam reumatik (sekitar 50 %). Pada kasus-kasus yang lebih
lanjut, pasien dapat mengeluh sesak nafas, dada terasa tidak nyaman, nyeri dada,
edema (bengkak), batuk.
 • Manifestasi kardiak lain adalah gagal jantung kongestif dan perikarditis.

• Kelainan pada bunyi jantung

• Gagal jantung

• Radang pada selaput jantung

q Gejala umum non kardiak dan manifestasi lain dari demam rematik akut antara lain:

• Poliartritis (radang sendi dibeberapa bagian tubuh) adalah gejala umum dan
merupakan manifestasi awal dari demam reumatik (70 – 75 %). Umumnya artritis
dimulai pada sendi-sendi besar di ekstremitas bawah (lutut dan engkel) lalu
bermigrasi ke sendi-sendi besar lain di ekstremitas atas atau bawah (siku dan
pergelangan tangan). Sendi yang terkena akan terasa sakit, bengkak, terasa
hangat, kemerahan dan gerakan terbatas. Gejala artritis mencapai puncaknya pada
waktu 12 – 24 jam dan bertahan dalam waktu 2 – 6 hari (jarang terjadi lebih dari 3
minggu) dan berespon sangat baik dengan pemberian aspirin. Poliartritis lebih
umum dijumpai pada remaja dan orang dewasa muda dibandingkan pada anak-
anak.

• Khorea Sydenham, khorea minor atau St. Vance, dance mengenai hampir 15%
penderita demam reumatik. Manifestasi ini mencerminkan keterlibatan sistem
syaraf sentral pada proses radang. Hubungan khorea Sydenham sampai demam
reumatik tetap merupakan tanda tanya untuk beberapa waktu lamanya. Periode
laten antara mulainya infeksi streptokokus dan mulainya gejala-gejala khorea
lebih lama daripada periode laten yang diperlukan untuk arthritis maupun karditis.
Periode laten khorea ini sekitar 3 bulan atau lebih, sedangkan periode laten untuk
arthritis dan karditis hanya 3 minggu. Penderita dengan khorea ini datang dengan
gerakan-gerakan yang tidak terkoordinasi dan tidak bertujuan dan emosi labil.
Manifestasi ini lebih nyata bila penderita bangun dan dalam keadaan stres.
Penderita tampak selalu gugup dan seringkali menyeringai. Bicaranya tertahan-
tahan dan meledak-ledak. Koordinasi otot-otot halus sukar. Tulisan tangannya
jelek dan ditandai oleh coretan ke atas yang tidak mantap dengan garis yang ragu-
ragu. Pada saat puncak gejalanya tulisannya tidak dapat dibaca sama sekali.

• Erithema marginatum merupakan ruam (kemerahan) yang khas untuk demam

reumatik dan jarang ditemukan pada penyakit lain. Karena kekhasannya tanda ini
dimasukkan dalam manifestasi minor. Keadaan ini paling sering ditemukan pada
batang tubuh dan tungkai yang jauh dari badan, tidak melibatkan muka. Ruam
makin tampak jelas bila ditutup dengan handuk basah hangat atau mandi air
hangat, sementara pada penderita berkulit hitam sukar ditemukan.

• Nodul subkutan. Frekuensi manifestasi ini menurun sejak beberapa dekade

terakhir, dan kini hanya ditemukan pada penderita penyakit jantung reumatik
khronik. Nodulus ini biasanya terletak pada permukaan ekstensor sendi, terutama
 ruas jari, lutut, dan persendian kaki. Kadang-kadang nodulus ini ditemukan pada
kulit kepala dan di atas kolumna vertebralis.

• Manifestasi lain dari demam reumatik antara lain nyeri perut, epistaksis
(mimisan), demam dengan suhu di atas 39 °C dengan pola yang tidak
karakteristik, pneumonia reumatik yang gejalanya mirip dengan pneumonia
karena infeksi.

q Anemia

Gambar 1. Infeksi bakteri demam reuma pada katup jantung

Tatalaksana

Tatalaksana bergantung dari tipe dan beratnya penyakit jantung rheuma. Pada
kebanyakan kasus, obat pengencer darah (aspirin) diberikan untuk mencegah
penumpukan. Dokter biasanya juga memberikan beta blocker dan calcium channel
blocker untuk menurunkan kerja jantung. Dan digitalis untuk meningkatkan efisiensi
kerja jantung.

Karena demam rheuma merupakan penyebab dari penyakit jantung rheuma, pengobatan
yang terbaik adalah untuk mencegah relaps dari demam rheuma. Antibiotik seperti
penisilin dan lainnya biasanya dapat mengobati infeksi dari bakteri streptococcus. Dan
menghentikan demam rheuma bermanifestasi. Apabila anda mempunyai riwayat terkena
demam rheuma biasanya kan diberikan terapi antibiotik dalam jangka waktu yang
panjang untuk mencegah demam rheuma timbul kembali dan mengurangi risiko terkena
penyakit jantung rheuma. Untuk mengurangi gejala peradangan dapat diberikan aspirin,
kortikosteroid atau NSAID(obat anti inflamasi non-steroid).

Terapi pembedahan dapat dilakukan untuk memperbaiki dan mengganti katup jantung
yang rusak.

www.uqu1.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4374
Penyakit Jantung Rematik (PJR)
Penyakit Jantung Rematik (PJR) atau dalam bahasa medisnya Rheumatic Heart Disease
(RHD) adalah suatu kondisi dimana terjadi kerusakan pada katup jantung yang bisa
berupa penyempitan atau kebocoran, terutama katup mitral (stenosis katup mitral)
sebagai akibat adanya gejala sisa dari Demam Rematik (DR).

Demam rematik merupakan suatu penyakit sistemik yang dapat bersifat akut, subakut,
kronik, atau fulminan, dan dapat terjadi setelah infeksi Streptococcus beta hemolyticus
group A pada saluran pernafasan bagian atas. Demam reumatik akut ditandai oleh demam
berkepanjangan, jantung berdebar keras, kadang cepat lelah. Puncak insiden demam
rematik terdapat pada kelompok usia 5-15 tahun, penyakit ini jarang dijumpai pada anak
dibawah usia 4 tahun dan penduduk di atas 50 tahun.

Seseorang yang mengalami demam rematik apabila tidak ditangani secara adekuat, Maka
sangat mungkin sekali mengalami serangan penyakit jantung rematik. Infeksi oleh kuman
Streptococcus Beta Hemolyticus group A yang menyebabkan seseorang mengalami
demam rematik dimana diawali terjadinya peradangan pada saluran tenggorokan,
dikarenakan penatalaksanaan dan pengobatannya yang kurah terarah menyebabkan
racun/toxin dari kuman ini menyebar melalui sirkulasi darah dan mengakibatkan
peradangan katup jantung. Akibatnya daun-daun katup mengalami perlengketan sehingga
menyempit, atau menebal dan mengkerut sehingga kalau menutup tidak sempurna lagi
dan terjadi kebocoran.
 Tanda dan Gejala Penyakit Jantung Rematik
Penderita umumnya megalami sesak nafas yang disebabkan jantungnya sudah mengalami
gangguan, nyeri sendi yang berpindah- pindah, bercak kemerahan di kulit yang berbatas,
gerakan tangan yang tak beraturan dan tak terkendali (korea), atau benjolan kecil-kecil
dibawah kulit. Selain itu tanda yang juga turut menyertainya adalah nyeri perut,
kehilangan berat badan, cepat lelah dan tentu saja demam.

Penegakan Diagnosis Penyakit Jantung Rematik

Selain dengan adanya tanda dan gejala yang tampak secara langsung dari fisik, umumnya
dokter akan melakukan beberapa pemeriksaan laboratorium, misalnya; pemeriksaan
darah rutin, ASTO, CRP, dan kultur ulasan tenggorokan. Bentuk pemeriksaan yang paling
akurat adalah dengan dilakukannya echocardiografi untuk melihat kondisi katup-katup
jantung dan otot jantung.

Pengobatan Penyakit Jantung Rematik

Apabila diagnosa penyakit jantung rematik sudah ditegakkan dan masih adanya infeksi
oleh kuman Streptococcus tersebut, maka hal utama yang terlintas dari Tim Dokter
adalah pemberian antibiotika dan anti radang. Misalnya pemberian obat antibiotika
penicillin secara oral atau benzathine penicillin G. Pada penderita yang allergi terhadap
kedua obat tersebut, alternatif lain adalah pemberian erythromycin atau golongan
cephalosporin. Sedangkan antiradang yang biasanya diberikan adalah Cortisone and
Aspirin.

Penderita dianjurkan untuk tirah baring dirumah sakit, selain itu Tim Medis akan terpikir
tentang penanganan kemungkinan terjadinya komplikasi seperti gagal jantung,
endokarditis bakteri atau trombo-emboli. Pasien akan diberikan diet bergizi tinggi yang
mengandung cukup vitamin.

Penderita Penyakit Jantung Rematik (PJR) tanpa gejala tidak memerlukan terapi.
Penderita dengan gejala gagal jantung yang ringan memerlukan terapi medik untuk
mengatasi keluhannya. Penderita yang simtomatis memerlukan terapi surgikal atau
intervensi invasif. Tetapi terapi surgikal dan intervensi ini masih terbatas tersedia serta
memerlukan biaya yang relatif mahal dan memerlukan follow up jangka panjang.

Pencegahan Penyakit Jantung Rematik

Jika kita lihat diatas bahwa penyakit jantung paru sangat mungkin terjadi dengan adanya
kejadian awal yaitu demam rematik (DR), Tentu saja pencegahan yang terbaik adalah
bagaimana upaya kita jangan sampai mengalami demam rematik (DR) (terserang infeksi
kuman Streptococcus beta hemolyticus).

Ada beberapa faktor yang dapat mendukung seseorang terserang kuman tersebut,
diantaranya faktor lingkungan seperti kondisi kehidupan yang jelek, kondisi tinggal yang
berdesakan dan akses kesehatan yang kurang merupakan determinan yang signifikan
dalam distribusi penyakit ini. Variasi cuaca juga mempunyai peran yang besar dalam
terjadinya infeksi streptokokkus untuk terjadi DR.

Seseorang yang terinfeksi kuman Streptococcus beta hemolyticus dan mengalami demam
rematik, harus diberikan therapy yang maksimal dengan antibiotiknya. Hal ini untuk
menghindarkan kemungkinan serangan kedua kalinya atau bahkan menyebabkan
Penyakit Jantung Rematik.

http://www.infopenyakit.com/2008/08/penyakit-jantung-rematik-pjr.html
Rheumatic Fever
Background: Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that occurs
in a very small percentage of children or adolescents with history of
untreated strep throat infection. Symptoms of rheumatic fever
generally appear a few weeks after the throat infection with group A
beta-hemolytic streptococcus. There seems to be a genetic
susceptibility to development of the disease, which is a body reaction
to the streptococcus. There is no cure for rheumatic fever. It may be
prevented by prompt and complete treatment of a strep throat
infection with antibiotics. The
disease may involve the heart,
joints, central nervous system
(brain), skin and subcutaneous
tissue. Rheumatic fever usually
occurs during the school-age years
when strep throat infections are
most prevalent. The incidence is
low in most parts of the United
States. The prevalence is higher in
the colder months when strep
throat is most likely to occur.
Ninety percent of cases of
rheumatic fever resolve in 3
months or less.

How it is diagnosed?

In 1944, the Jones criteria were formulated to make it easier to

identify the disease. There are major and minor modified Jones
criteria. In addition to evidence of a previous streptococcal infection,
the diagnosis requires two major Jones criteria or one major plus two
minor Jones criteria.

Table #1

Major Criteria:
• Heart involvement. A heart murmur is a common
finding. This occurs in as many as 40% of patients and
may include leaky valves, most commonly mitral
regurgitation but also mitral and aortic insufficiency. In
addition, the heart muscle and surrounding sac are
affected as well. Patients develop unusually faster
heart rates and may end up, although rarely, with
congestive heart failure and accumulation of excessive
amounts of fluid around the heart. Heart involvement is
the major cause of long-term medical problems.
Younger children tend to develop carditis (heart
involvement) first. Patients with carditis are at a
greater risk of developing recurrent rheumatic fever
and also sustaining further heart damage. A significant
percentage of patients with heart involvement end up
with rheumatic heart disease (chronic heart
involvement). Mitral stenosis is rare in the United
States
• Migratory poly-arthritis. This condition occurs in 75%
of patients and many times may be the initial clinical
manifestations, especially in the older patients. It
usually involves the large joints such as the knees,
ankles, elbows and wrists. The term migratory means
that it may start in only one knee and then gradually
move to the contra-lateral knee joint. Joints become
swollen, red and very tender. Joint motion is restricted
and patients may have difficulty walking.
• Subcutaneous nodules: They are firm, painless
nodules on the extensor surface of the wrist, elbows
and knees. They are found in only 10% of patients.
• Erythema Marginatum: This skin rash occurs in over
5% of patients. The rash is serpiginous and may be
long lasting or evanescent (tend to disappear and
reappear).
• Sydenham Chorea: It consists of rapid purposeless
movements of the face and upper extremities. It is also
called “St.Vitus Dance.” Chorea movements are
usually present when the patient is awake. Besides
chorea there may be other clinical manifestations of
brain involvement. Some children may develop mood
swings and cry for no reason.
Table #2

Minor Jones Criteria

• Fever
• Previous history of rheumatic fever
• Arthralgia or joint pain (without arthritis)
• Prolongation of PR interval in the electrocardiogram
(approximately 25% of all cases).
• Abnormal blood test results
Cardiovascular Tests:

In addition to blood testing, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray and

echocardiogram.

Medical Treatment:

Patients with rheumatic fever need to be treated with antibiotics

regardless of a negative throat culture. High doses of aspirin or
Naproxen are useful in controlling pain and inflammation. Steroids
are rarely used except for extremely sick children, mainly patients in
heart failure. Patients that develop heart failure will require heart
medications and diuretics. Secondary prophylaxis to prevent future
strep infections is used in patients who develop acute rheumatic
fever. The duration of prophylaxis depends on the risks of exposure
to strep infections and if the patient had previous attacks of
rheumatic fever. Penicillin is the drug of choice. Prophylaxis is
usually given for at least five years (or to age 21) in those patients
without heart involvement. Prophylaxis is given for a longer period of
time if there has been heart involvement or chronic heart damage
(rheumatic heart disease may require life-long prophylaxis). Most
patients do not require SBE prophylaxis under the new guidelines
from the American Heart Association. A decision on whether or not
to do this should be made after consultation with the family and Dr.
Villafañe. Chorea movements may be controlled with medication as
well.

Copyright ©2008-09 Children's Heart Specialists mykentuckyheart.com/.../Rheumatic-

Fever.htm

RHEUMATIC FEVER

Rheumatic fever is a generalized inflammatory connective tissue disease characterized by

fever, joint pains, and heart disease with less frequent involvement of the skin, nervous
system and the subcutaneous tissues. Rheumatic fever has a tendency to recur and is due
to an immune reaction following Group A beta haemolytic streptococcal throat infection.
Epidemiology

Rheumatic fever is common among the children of the poor, where there is overcrowding
and delay in the treatment of throat infections. Rheumatic fever is extremely rare under 2
years of age. Most cases of rheumatic fever occur in children aged 5-15 years.

Cause

Acute rheumatic fever is related to a previous Group A beta haemolytic streptococcal

throat infection. The interval between the throat infection and the attack of acute
rheumatic fever varies from 4- 6 weeks.

Clinical Manifestations:

The clinical manifestations of rheumatic fever include:

• fever
• polyarthralgia (discomfort in the joints without objective evidence of pain,
redness or swelling)
• migratory polyarthritis: this asymmetrical and involves the large joints (knees,
ankles, elbow and the wrist). The affected joints are painful, red, hot, and swollen
for about 24 hours. After the recovery of one group of joints, the attack moves on
to other groups of joints. This movement of the attack from one group of joints to
the other explains the description of the arthritis as migratory. The polyarthritis
lasts 1-4 weeks and subsides without leaving any residual damage in the affected
joints.
• Carditis: the most serious manifestation of rheumatic fever, involves all the
layers of the heart wall simultaneously The inflammation of the pericardium
(outer coating of the heart) is called pericarditis. The inflammation of the
myocardium (heart muscle) is called myocarditis. The inflammation of the
endocardium (internal lining of the heart wall) is called endocarditis. The
involvement of the heart is revealed by the occurrence of new mitral and aortic
murmurs and cardiomegaly. Very severe rheumatic heart disease may lead to heart
failure. The heart lesions may remain and worsen with every recurrence of the
acute rheumatic fever.
• Subcutaneous nodules: are several tender swellings 0.5-2cm in diameter. These
nodules are found on the extensor surfaces of the bone prominences of the knees,
elbows, shoulders, scapulae, the occiput and the spinal processes. The
subcutaneous nodules occur in less than 15% of the cases and are indicators of a
severe disease.
• Sydenham chorea: is characterized by jerky, involuntary and irregular
movements of the limbs and face, emotional instability, inattentiveness,
clumpsiness and crying out loudly. The movements are usually bilateral but may
also be unilateral. The chorea is worsened by stress and disappears when the child
is asleep. Sydenham chorea is rare and affects girls more commonly than boys.
After several weeks or months, spontaneous remission occurs.
 • Erythema marginatum: consists of non-pruritic macules or patches with central
pallor and a well defined irregular margin on the trunk and the proximal parts of
the limbs. Erythema marginatum occurs in 10 % of the cases of acute rheumatic
fever.

The laboratory findings include acute phase reactants (leukocytosis, raised erythrocyte
sedimentation rate, and elevated C-reactive protein), evidence of a preceding
streptococcal infection (elevated or rising antistreptolysin titre, isolation of streptococci
from throat swab culture, and positive streptozyme test) and prolonged PR interval in the
Electrocardiogram (ECG).

In children aged < 2 years the clinical course of the disease tends to be mild and the
correct diagnosis may often be missed in this age group.

Figure 21.3: Clinical features of rheumatic fever

Diagnosis.

No single clinical feature or laboratory test can establish the diagnosis of rheumatic fever.
The diagnosis of rheumatic fever is made using some selected clinical features, the major
and minor criteria published by Jones.

The five major criteria are:

• migratory polyarthritis;
• carditis;
• Sydenham chorea;
• Subcutaneous nodules; and
• erythema marginatum.

The minor criteria include:

• fever
• Polyarthralgia in the absence of polyarthritis as a major criterion;
• prolonged PR interval on the electrocardiogram
• Acute phase reactants (leukocytosis, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and
elevated C-reactive protein),
• evidence of a preceding streptococcal infection (elevated or rising antistreptolysin
titre, isolation of streptococci from throat swab culture, and positive streptozyme
test)

Activity
6

Write down the usage of the above criteria for making diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever:

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
The diagnosis of rheumatic fever is based on the presence of two major criteria or one
major criterion and two minor criteria, together with evidence of a preceding
streptococcal infection

Investigations:

The investigations done on suspecting acute rheumatic fever are throat swab for culture,
Antistreptolysin O titre (ASOT), and blood for acute phase reactants

Complications.

The development of rheumatic valvular heart disease is the major complication of acute
rheumatic fever.

Treatment:

After taking the throat swab, the first intramuscular dose of benzyl penicillin is given.
The intramuscular injections or oral penicillin are then continued for 10 days.

Children with painful joints and carditis often lie still. As they recover, they are not
allowed to walk until the joint involvement has subsided, heart size diminished and rapid
pulse diminished. Thereafter, the children are progressively allowed more activity. If
there has been heart failure, the convalescence may be more prolonged and activity is
restricted until the evidence of rheumatic activity has been absent for 2 weeks.

Anti-inflammatory treatment.

The anti-inflammatory treatment is effected with salicylates 100mg/kg/24 hours divided

in 4 doses for 3-5 days followed by 75mg/kg/24 hours divided in 4 doses for 4-6 weeks.
Patients with carditis or congestive cardiac failure are also given predisone, 2mg/kg/24
hours divided in 4 doses for 2-3 weeks. Thereafter, predisone is tapered over a period of 2
weeks by giving 5mg/24 hours every 2-3 days. While predisone is being withdrawn,
salicylates are given. Mild rebounds after the discontinuation of the anti-inflammatory
drugs are left alone. Those with severe rebounds are given salicylates or steroids once
more.

Congestive cardiac failure is treated with digoxin, diuretics, fluid and salt restriction and
oxygen. The slow digitilization dose of digoxin is 0.04 -0.06 mg/kg in 4 doses. The
maintence digoxin dosage is 0.01 mg/kg in two divided doses. Furosemide 2 mg/kg
intravenously per dose is given when there is pulmonary oedema.

Prevention of rheumatic fever.

a)Primary prevention.

Primary prevention means treatment of the streptococcal upper respiratory infection with
antibiotics to prevent the first attack of rheumatic fever. Antibiotic therapy started up to
the 9th day of the onset of symptoms of the upper respiratory infection can prevent
rheumatic fever.

b)Secondary prevention.

Secondary prevention means prevention of infection of upper respiratory tract with group
A beta haemolytic streptococci in persons who have had an attack of rheumatic fever. The
preferred method of secondary prevention is regular monthly intramuscular injections of
benzathine penicillin G, 1.200,000 units. Patients with rheumatic carditis need a lifelong
secondary prophylaxis. The individuals with no carditis continue with secondary
prophylaxis until early twenties provided that at least 5 years will have passed since the
last attack of rheumatic fever. Before dental or surgical procedures, patients with
rheumatic carditis also need additional antibiotics to prevent infective endocarditis. The
secondary prophylaxis of rheumatic fever is not enough for preventing infective
endocarditis. The additional antibiotics (gentamycin, amoxycillin, cephalexin,
azithromycin or erythromycin) are given within half an hour before the procedure. I hope
you now understand how to diagnose and treat rheumatic fever. Remember that it can be
prevented by treating a sore throat early with antibiotics. So advice parents not to ignore a
child with a sore throat but to bring them for treatment as early as possible.

Before you proceed to read the next section, do the following activity.

www.wikieducator.org/Lesson_21:_Other_Conditions

Tricuspid Valve Disease

(Tricuspid Regurgitation; Tricuspid Stenosis)

by Michelle Badash, MS

Definition | Causes | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prevention

En Español (Spanish Version)

Definition

Tricuspid valve disease refers to damage to the tricuspid heart valve. This valve is located
between the atrium (upper chamber) and the ventricle (lower pumping chamber) of the
right side of the heart. The tricuspid valve has three cusps, or flaps, that control the
direction and flow of blood.

The two main types of tricuspid valve disease are:

 • Tricuspid stenosis—narrowing of the tricuspid valve
• Tricuspid regurgitation—backflow of blood into the atrium from the ventricle due
to improper closing of the tricuspid valve flaps

Anatomy of the Heart

© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.

Causes

Rheumatic fever is the most common cause of tricuspid valve disease world-wide. Other
causes include:

• Congenital heart problems

• Heart attack or coronary heart disease
• Congestive heart failure
• Endocarditis (an infection of heart valves)
• Trauma to the heart
• Tumors (rare)

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

• History of rheumatic fever

• Sex: female (for tricuspid stenosis)
Symptoms

In many cases, there are no symptoms. However, if symptoms do occur, they may
include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Swelling in the legs or abdomen

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical
exam. The doctor may be alerted to tricuspid valve disease by the following:

• Heart murmur
• Irregular pulse or heartbeat
• Abnormal pulse in the jugular vein of the neck
• Swelling in the legs

Tests may include:

• Chest x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take pictures of structures inside the
chest
• Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)—a test that records the heart's activity by
measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle
• Echocardiogram —a test that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to
examine the size, shape, and motion of the heart
• Cardiac catheterization —an x-ray of the heart's circulation that is done after
injection of a contrast dye

Treatment

If you have mild tricuspid valve disease, your condition will need to be monitored, but
may not need immediate treatment. When symptoms become more severe, treatments
may include:
Medications

Drugs may be prescribed to treat specific symptoms associated with tricuspid valve
disease. These medications include:

• Drugs to control heart arrhythmias

• Diuretics
• Vasodilators, which dilate blood vessels

Surgery

If tricuspid valve disease is causing severe problems, surgery to repair or replace the
defective valve may be required.

Prevention

Tricuspid valve disease cannot be prevented. But, there are several things you can do to
try to avoid some of the complications:

• If you have an abnormal valve, take antibiotics before any dental cleaning, dental
work, or other invasive procedures. This will help prevent infection of the heart
valve.
• Treat strep throat infections promptly to avoid rheumatic fever, which can cause
scarring of the heart valve.
• If your valve problem was caused by rheumatic fever, talk to your doctor about
antibiotic treatment to prevent future episodes of rheumatic fever.

RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
http://www.ccs.ca/home/index_e.aspx
Canadian Family Physician
http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/

REFERENCES:

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine . 15th ed. McGraw-Hill Professional

Publishing; 2001.
Definition

Mitral stenosis is a narrowing of the mitral valve in the heart. This valve is located
between the atrium (upper chamber) and the ventricle (lower pumping chamber) of the
left side of the heart. Blood must flow from the atrium, through the mitral valve, and into
the ventricle before being pumped out into the rest of the body. Mitral stenosis results in
inadequate blood flow between the two left chambers, and therefore too little blood and
oxygen being pumped throughout the body.

Mitral Valve Stenosis

© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.

Causes

The most common cause of mitral stenosis is rheumatic fever, which scars the mitral
valve. A less common cause is a congenital defect, usually part of a complex of multiple
heart defects present at birth. Very rare causes include blood clots, tumors, or other
growths that block blood flow through the mitral valve.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
The main risk factor for mitral stenosis is rheumatic fever. Other risk factors include:

• Sex: female
• Age: 30 to 50
Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Difficulty breathing, especially during exercise and when lying flat

• Awakening short of breath in the middle of the night
• Fatigue
• Chest pain, such as squeezing, pressure, or tightness (rare)
• Sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Cough with exertion
• Coughing up blood
• Swelling of the legs or feet
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Dizziness, fainting

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical
exam. The doctor may be alerted to mitral stenosis by the following:

• Abnormal chest sounds, such as a heart murmur or snap

• Distention of the jugular vein in the neck
• Signs of fluid in the lungs

Tests may include:

• Chest x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take pictures of structures inside the
chest
• Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)—a test that records the heart's activity by
measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle
• Echocardiogram —a test that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to
examine the size, shape, and motion of the heart; in this test, the sound waves are
passed through a transducer that is placed onto your chest.
• Transesophageal echocardiogram—uses the same ultrasound techniques to create
an image of your heart, but gives a more detailed image. In this test, the
transducer is passed down your esophagus (the tube in your throat that runs from
your mouth into your stomach), to allow a better examination of the mitral valve.
• Cardiac catheterization —an x-ray of the heart's circulation that is done after
injection of a contrast dye
• Holter monitor—a portable EKG device that you wear for 24 or more hours, to
detect heart rhythm abnormalities that often accompany mitral stenosis
Treatment

If you have mitral stenosis, you will need antibiotics when you have certain infections
(eg, beta-strep infections, usually of the throat) or are having procedures (such as dental
work) that may put you at risk for heart infections. This will help prevent further damage
to your heart.

If you have mild mitral stenosis, your condition will need to be monitored, but may not
need immediate treatment for symptoms associated with mitral stenosis. When symptoms
become more severe, you may need to limit exertion and avoid high-salt foods. In
addition, treatments may include:

Medications

Drugs may be prescribed to treat specific symptoms associated with mitral stenosis.
These medications include:

• Drugs that lower the heart rate and improve the heart's function (beta-blockers and
calcium channel blockers)
• Water pills (diuretics)
• Blood-thinning drugs—Mitral stenosis can lead to blood clots that can go to the
brain, causing strokes, or to the limbs, causing severe problems.
• Drugs to control heart arrhythmias

Surgery

Common types of heart valve surgery include:

• Mitral valvulotomy—A surgical cut or enlargement is made in the stenotic mitral

valve to relieve the obstruction.
• Balloon valvuloplasty—A balloon device is inserted into the blocked mitral valve
to open or enlarge the valve. This may provide temporary relief of symptoms.
However, the valve may become blocked again.
• Mitral valve replacement—This is the surgical replacement of a defective heart
valve. This surgery is usually delayed until symptoms are severe or the patient can
no longer be helped by other procedures.

If you are diagnosed with mitral stenosis, follow your doctor's instructions.

Prevention

Most cases of mitral stenosis can be prevented by preventing rheumatic fever:

 • Treat strep throat infections promptly to avoid rheumatic fever, which can cause
scarring of the heart valve; always finish all of the antibiotics prescribed, even if
you feel better before taking all of the doses.

In addition, there are several things you can do to try to avoid some of the complications
of mitral stenosis:

• Get regular medical care, including checkups and periodic electrocardiograms.

• Take antibiotics before any dental cleaning, dental work, or other invasive
procedures. This will help prevent infection of the heart valve.
• If your valve problem was caused by rheumatic fever, talk to your doctor about
antibiotic treatment to prevent future episodes of rheumatic fever.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and drugs (like decongestants) that speed up your heart
rate; these will only worsen your symptoms.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Follow your doctor’s recommendations for exercise.
• Ask your doctor about cutting back on salt; this may help decrease the pressure in
your heart and improve your symptoms.
• Monitor your blood pressure, and inform your healthcare provider if you seem to
be developing high blood pressure, which can worsen your symptoms.

RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
http://www.ccs.ca/home/index_e.aspx
Canadian Family Physician
http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/