Table 2

Clinical (auscultatory) and echo Doppler detection of valve lesions in patients with acute rheumatic fever during the acute episode and during follow up

Valve involvementARF at entry (n=35)Follow up
1 year (n=32)5 years (n=17)
Clinical2D-echo-DClinical2D-echo-DClinical2D-echo-D
Mitral15 (42%)20 (75%)7 (22%)12 (32%)3 (18%)5 (29%)
Aortic6 (17%)17 (48%)2-150 2 (6%)9 (28%)2-151 0 (0%)3 (18%)
Mitral and/or aortic5 (43%)25 (71%)2-160 8 (25%)15 (47%)3 (18%)7 (41%)
Not detected20 (57%)10 (29%)24 (75%)17 (53%)14 (82%)10 (59%)

  • ↵2-150 Clinical v 2D-echo-D at entry, p = 0.01 (χ2).

  • ↵2-160 Clinical v 2D-echo-D at entry, p = 0.03 (χ2).

  • ↵2-151 Clinical v 2D-echo-D at 1 year, p = 0.025 (Fisher's exact test).

  • ARF, acute rheumatic fever; 2D-echo-D, cross sectional echocardiography and colour flow Doppler imaging.