The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 27, 529-535, Copyright © 1979 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Echocardiography and valve replacement in the critically ill patient with acute rheumatic carditis
BS Lewis, IL Geft, S Milo and MS Gotsman
In 4 critically ill patients with acute rheumatic carditis, valve
incompetence, and severe life-threatening cardiac failure, medical
treatment consisting of bedrest, oxygen, digitalis, diuretics, and steroids
produced little or no clinical improvement. Echocardiography showed that in
each patient myocardial function was relatively well preserved despite
active rheumatic carditis and the critical clinical state. Emergency valve
replacement was performed, and a good clinical result was achieved in all 4
patients.