High burden of rheumatic heart disease confirmed by echocardiography among Pacific adults living in New Zealand.

Background: Despite numerous echocardiographic screening studies of children in high incidence acute rheumatic fever (ARF)/rheumatic heart disease (RHD) communities, little is known about the prevalence of RHD in adults in these populations.We sought to determine the prevalence of RHD in an urban area of South Auckland, New Zealand, where previous studies had shown the prevalence of RHD in children to be around 2%.

Methods: A cross-sectional screening study was conducted between 2014 and 2016.

Cohort profile: methodology and cohort characteristics of the Aotearoa New Zealand Rheumatic Heart Disease Registry.

Purpose: To create a cohort with high specificity for moderate and severe rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in New Zealand, not reliant on International Classification of Diseases discharge coding. To describe the demography and cardiac profile of this historical and contemporary cohort.

Design And Participants: Retrospective identification of moderate or severe RHD with disease onset by 2019.

Outcomes of Echocardiography-Detected Rheumatic Heart Disease: Validating a Simplified Score in Cohorts From Different Countries.

Background The natural history of latent rheumatic heart disease (RHD) detected by echocardiography remains unclear. We aimed to assess the accuracy of a simplified score based on the 2012 World Heart Federation criteria in predicting mid-term RHD echocardiography outcomes in children from 4 different countries. Methods and Results Patient-level baseline and follow-up data of children with latent RHD from 4 countries (Australia, n=62; Brazil, n=197; Malawi, n=40; New Zealand, n=94) were combined.

Echocardiography for latent rheumatic heart disease in first degree relatives of children with acute rheumatic fever: Implications for active case finding in family members.

Background: Individuals with Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) often report a family history of ARF or Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) however the degree of familial susceptibility to RHD is poorly defined. This study aimed to determine RHD prevalence among first degree relatives of ARF patients using echocardiography.

Methods: Children with ARF were recruited from Auckland, New Zealand.

The World Heart Federation criteria raise the threshold of diagnosis for mild rheumatic heart disease: Three reviewers are better than one.

Background: The World Heart Federation (WHF) criteria, published in 2012, provided an evidence-based guideline for the minimal diagnosis of echocardiographically-detected RHD. Primary aim of the study was to determine whether use of the WHF criteria altered the threshold for the diagnosis of echocardiographically-detected RHD compared with the previous WHO/NIH criteria. A secondary aim was to explore the utility of a three reviewer reporting system compared to a single or two reviewer reporting structure.

Adequate adherence to benzathine penicillin secondary prophylaxis following the diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease by echocardiographic screening.

Aims: The primary aim of this study was to determine adherence to benzathine penicillin (BPG) for individuals diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) by echocardiographic screening between 2007-2012.

Methods: BPG records were obtained for 57 patients, median age 12 at time of diagnosis. A 'days at risk' analysis was undertaken.

Infective endocarditis following Melody valve implantation: comparison with a surgical cohort.

Background: Infective endocarditis has been reported post Melody percutaneous pulmonary valve implant; the incidence and risk factors, however, remain poorly defined. We identified four cases of endocarditis from our first 25 Melody implants. Our aim was to examine these cases in the context of postulated risk factors and directly compare endocarditis rates with local surgical valves.