Lack of awareness of secondary rheumatic prevention in preoperative candidates for mitral valve surgery - alarming situation.

Background: We conducted this study to assess the compliance with secondary rheumatic prophylaxis among preoperative patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease undergoing valvular heart surgery at a tertiary care cardiac hospital in a developing country.

Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care cardiac hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The inclusion criteria encompassed patients of any sex, aged between 18 and 80 years, who had been diagnosed with rheumatic mitral valve disease through transthoracic echocardiography and had undergone valvular heart surgery.

Life style related risk factors for cardiovascular disease among patients at a teaching hospital in Karachi.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause for morbidity and mortality all over the world. It is important to study life style related, modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among patients, in order to devise preventive strategies.

Methods: We surveyed family practice patients visiting the out-patient clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.