Risk Factors for Acute Rheumatic Disease: Exploring Factors at Individual and Collective Levels.

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a complex disease with several clinical manifestations. Its most significant long-term complication is valvular heart damage, commonly referred to as chronic rheumatic heart disease. The risk of ARF varies globally, with over 80% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting the role of socioeconomic factors.

Assessment of the left atrial volume and function following percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty: Insights into acute and late impact of atrial fibrillation on atrial remodeling.

Background: Rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) leads to LA remodeling with disordered electrical activation that may revert with valve intervention. This study aimed to assess the acute and late impact of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) on LA volume and function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with sinus rhythm.

Methods: A total of 167 patients with severe MS undergoing PMBV were prospectively enrolled.