Conclusion
The aim of this study is to identify subtle ventricular dysfunction by
speckle tracking echocardiography in children with active rheumatic
heart disease, who are shown to have normal cardiac functions by
conventional methods. In the literature, there are a very limited number
of studies investigating myocardial strain. This is the first study
assessing myocardial deformation during the acute phase of rheumatic
heart disease. In this study, myocardial strain and strain rate values
were lower in patients with acute RHD compared to healthy controls even
in those with no valvular involvement. This data suggested that any
patient with acute RHD can have some degree of myocardial involvement.
This was thought to be due to myocardial dysfunction than valvular
involvement. We need to perform more detailed studies to understand the
reason behind myocardial dysfunction; however, based on available
information this is more likely due to myocardial inflammation than
myocardial necrosis. We need to identify the role of myocardial strain
and strain rate on RHD pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment with
studies conducted on larger patient groups.