Objective:

The aim of this study is to review the demographic, clinical, and cardiac ultrasound characteristics, as well as the surgical approach, of patients less than 18 years-old with rheumatic fever.

Materials and methods:

A descriptive, retrospective study was conducted that included patients less than 18 years-old diagnosed with rheumatic fever between the years 2006 to 2016.

Results:

The study included a total of 22 children with ages between 10 and 14 years, of whom 59% were female. It was recorded that 13.6% (3/22) were from Arauca Department (Colombia), and 18.1% (4/22) were indigenous. Carditis was diagnosed in 63.6% (14/22), followed by polyarthralgia and fever in 59% (13/22) and 54% (12/22), respectively. Sydenham’s chorea and marginal erythema was also detected in 4.5% (1/22). The severity of mitral valve involvement was determined in 72.7% (16/22). Of the 15 patients that had surgery, 13.3% (2/15) had a mitral valve replacement, mitral and tricuspid repair in 40% (6/15), mitral, tricuspid, and aortic repair in 6.66%, respectively (1/15), and aortic replacement in 5.2% (1/15). One patient required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. There was no mortality.

Conclusions:

It was observed that rheumatic fever led to serious cardiac compromise that required a high rate of surgical interventions. Rural and indigenous population would notably benefit from basic, primary, and secondary prevention, as well as a timely diagnosis and treatment.

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