Clinical presentation and outcomes of patients with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease seen at a tertiary hospital setting in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

BACKGROUND: The incidence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has waned in Western countries, however that is not the situation in developing nations. METHODS: Records were reviewed of patients from the Eastern Cape municipal districts who presented to the Paediatric Cardiology Unit with ARF and RHD from January 2008 to August 2015. RESULTS: Total of 56 patients with ARF/RHD was reviewed. The majority of patients (n = 52) presented for the first time with RHD. Four patients presented with ARF and two had recurrent ARF. Six patients presented with a combination of RHD and congenital heart disease. Twenty-three patients were operated on for chronic rheumatic valve disease, with good outcomes. CONCLUSION: The true burden of ARF/RHD is unknown in the Eastern Cape. Prospective studies are needed to accurately determine the prevalence of RHD in this province.