Clinical Characteristics, Complications, and Treatment Practices in Patients With RHD: 6-Year Results From HP-RHD Registry

Background: Despite the high prevalence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in developing countries such as India, data on characteristics, complications, and treatment practices are lacking. The HP-RHD (Himachal Pradesh Rheumatic Heart Disease) registry aimed at reporting these parameters in patients with RHD from a northern state of India. Methods: A total of 2,005 consecutive patients of RHD were enrolled over a period of 6 years (2011 to 2016) in the present study. The clinical characteristics, complications, and treatment practices were systematically recorded. Results: The mean age for patients with RHD was 40.3 ± 14.3 (range 5 to 83 years). RHD predominantly affected females (72.3%) and population from rural background (92%). Multivalvular involvement was frequent (43.2%), mitral valve was the commonest affected valve (83.3%). The majority of the patients had moderate-to-severe valvular dysfunction (69.3%). Mitral and tricuspid valve involvement was more frequent in female subjects compared with more frequent aortic valve involvement in male subjects (p < 0.001). The major adverse cardiovascular events were recorded in 23.4% patients at the time of registry and comprised mainly advanced heart failure (15.6%), peripheral embolism (4.1%), and stroke (3.9%). The independent risk determinants of major adverse cardiovascular events (were advanced age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.02), severe mitral stenosis (OR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.34–2.20), severe tricuspid regurgitation (OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.48–3.02), presence of pulmonary artery hypertension (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.04–1.69), and atrial fibrillation (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.28–2.11). Evidence-based use of oral anticoagulant therapy was documented in 77.7% of high-risk patients. Only 28.5% of study population was receiving secondary prophylaxis. Conclusions: Complications in patients with RHD increase with age and worsening valvular dysfunction. Programs focused on early detection and evidence-based management will assist in improving outcomes.