Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular diastolic and systolic function in Saudi patients with sickle cell disease.

Background And Objectives: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic, inherited haemoglobin disorder, associated with recurrent vaso-occlusive and haemolytic crises and chronic tissue ischemia which may adversely affect any organ system. Our objectives were to evaluate the left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions in Saudi patients with SCD originally from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Design And Setting: Prospective hospital based echocardiography study on adolescent and adult patients with SCD.

A dramatic decline in university hospital admissions of acute rheumatic fever in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia.

Backgrounds: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and its sequel, chronic valvular heart disease are the most important causes for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide and mainly in developing countries. However, the incidence of ARF has declined in developed countries during the second half of 20th century.

Material And Methods: The case files of all patients admitted as new cases of ARF over ∼11 years and 8 months, both in pediatric and medical departments of a university hospital located in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia were reviewed.