Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Cardiovascular imaging modalities in the diagnosis and management of rheumatic heart disease
Olukayode O Aremu1, Petronella Samuels2, Stephen Jermy3
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Insights
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) diagnosis in sub-Saharan Africa relies on imaging. Echocardiography is primary, with cardiovascular magnetic resonance and computed tomography offering complementary insights for RHD evaluation and management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a significant health concern in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Diagnostic and evaluation capacities for RHD severity and complications are often suboptimal in this region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize cardiovascular imaging techniques for Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) diagnosis and management.
- To review the evidence, limitations, and expanding clinical applications of various imaging modalities in RHD.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on cardiovascular imaging in RHD.
- Discussion of echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), and computed tomography (CT) utility.
- Analysis of clinical contexts and expanding indications for imaging in RHD.
Main Results:
- Echocardiography is the primary diagnostic tool for RHD.
- Cardiovascular magnetic resonance provides complementary information on tissue characteristics when echocardiography is insufficient.
- Computed tomography shows emerging roles, especially in post-valve surgery monitoring for RHD patients.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular imaging is crucial for RHD diagnosis and management, particularly in resource-limited settings.
- A combination of imaging modalities offers comprehensive assessment and monitoring of RHD.
- The utility of advanced imaging techniques in RHD is expanding, requiring updated clinical guidelines.
Abstract:
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where the capacity for diagnosis and evaluation of disease severity and complications is not always optimal. While the medical history and physical examination are important in the assessment of patients suspected to have RHD, cardiovascular imaging techniques are useful for confirmation of the diagnosis. Echocardiography is the workhorse modality for initial evaluation and diagnosis of RHD. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance is complementary and may provide additive information, including tissue characteristics, where echocardiography is inadequate or non-diagnostic. There is emerging evidence on the role of computed tomography, particularly following valve replacement surgery, in the monitoring and management of RHD. This article summarises the techniques used in imaging RHD patients, considers the evidence base for their utility, discusses their limitations and recognises the clinical contexts in which indications and imaging with various modalities are expanding.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:21Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
01:20Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
01:17Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion,...