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Endgame for deadly heart disease will save hundreds of livesRheumatic heart disease, a deadly yet entirely preventable heart disease taking the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, is finally on the verge of elimination thanks to new research
News & Events
For kids, by kids: New “Boom Boom” song teaches children how to prevent deadly heart diseaseOnce you hear it, you won’t be able to get it out of your head – and that’s exactly the point of the new song ‘Boom Boom’.
News & Events
Call for Group A streptococcal infections to become notifiable diseasesResearchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia say Group A Streptococcus should become a nationally notifiable disease in Australia.
Research
Left ventricular remodelling in rheumatic heart disease – trends over time and implications for follow-up in childhoodRheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most common form of acquired heart disease worldwide. In RHD, volume loading from mitral regurgitation leads to left ventricular (LV) dilatation, increased wall stress, and ultimately LV dysfunction. Improved understanding of LV dynamics may contribute to refined timing of intervention.
Research
Development of a sustained release implant of benzathine penicillin G for secondary prophylaxis of rheumatic heart diseaseRegular intramuscular (i.m.) benzathine penicillin G (BPG) injections have been the cornerstone of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) secondary prophylaxis since the 1950s. Patient adherence to IM BPG is poor, largely due to pain, the need for regular injections every 3-4 weeks and health sector delivery challenges in resource-limited settings. There is an urgent need for new approaches for secondary prophylaxis, such as an implant which could provide sustained penicillin concentrations for more than 6 months.
Research
The evidence that rheumatic heart disease control programs in Australia are making an impactRheumatic heart disease (RHD) comprises heart-valve damage caused by acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The Australian Government Rheumatic Fever Strategy funds RHD Control Programs to support detection and management of ARF and RHD. We assessed epidemiological changes during the years of RHD Control Program operation.
Research
Outcomes of latent rheumatic heart disease: External validation of a simplified score in patients with and without secondary prophylaxisSecondary antibiotic prophylaxis reduces progression of latent rheumatic heart disease (RHD) but not all children benefit. Improved risk stratification could refine recommendations following positive screening. We aimed to evaluate the performance of a previously developed echocardiographic risk score to predict mid-term outcomes among children with latent RHD.
Research
Low positive predictive value of International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes in relation to rheumatic heart disease: a challenge for global surveillanceWe outline a series of research initiatives to improve identification of RHD in administrative data thereby contributing to monitoring the RHD burden globally
Research
The stark reality of rheumatic heart diseaseThis editorial refers to ‘Characteristics, complications, and gaps in evidence-based interventions in rheumatic heart disease: the Global Rheumatic Heart...
Research
The case for global investment in rheumatic heart-disease controlThe review built a case for extending simple and cost–effective measures to all countries. Had these recommendations been put into action, significant...