%0 Journal Article
%T Late presentation of rheumatic heart disease: a justification for renewal of preventive methods?
%A Adeseye Abiodun Akintunde
%A Oladimeji George Opadijo
%J Pan African Medical Journal
%D 2009
%I African Field Epidemiology Network
%X Rheumatic heart disease continues to contribute greatly to the burden of cardiovascular disease in Sub-Saharan Africa despite advances in medical care. Evidence suggests that the prevalence is far greater than reported. There is therefore the need to emphasize routine screening for at-risk subjects and to appropriately institute adequate therapy and other preventive measures to avert the late and awry manifestation of the disease as presented in this case. This is a case report of one of numerous cases that may eventually suffer the same fate if urgent preventive measures are not instituted. A 20-year old Nigerian woman with past history of recurrent sore throat and a 10-year history of recurrent easy fatiguability and markedly dilated left atrium and pulmonary hypertension presented when she developed severe pulmonary hypertension. A concerted action at all levels of prevention is needed to reduce the burden of this disease among the young population in developing countries.
%K Rheumatic Heart Disease
%K Preventive
%K Mitral stenosis
%K Pulmonary Hypertension
%U http://www.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/3/22/pdf/22.pdf