Subclinical rheumatic heart disease in an Eritrean high-school population, detected by echocardiography.

Background And Aim Of The Study: In developing countries rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is still the most common acquired cardiovascular disease affecting children and young adults. The study aim was to investigate, via an echocardiographic screening, the prevalence of subclinical RHD in high-school students in Eritrea.

Methods: A total of 684 students (314 females, 370 males; mean age 16.

High prevalence of subclinical rheumatic heart disease in pregnant women in a developing country: an echocardiographic study.

Objectives: Pregnant women with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) carry a high risk of morbidity and mortality. In this study the prevalence of subclinical RHD in pregnant women in Keren, Eritrea was assessed using echocardiography.

Methods And Results: A prospective cross sectional survey of pregnant women attending a midwife consultation was carried out by two specially trained medical students and an experienced cardiologist.