Year: 2026 | Month: November | Volume: 16 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 122-128
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20261115
Clinical and Echocardiographic Profile of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease Presenting to a Rural Tertiary Care Cardiac Centre
Yogendra Singh Ranawat1, Milan Patel2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Ananta Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre
2Junior Resident, Department of Medicine, Ananta Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre
Corresponding Author: Yogendra Singh Ranawat
ABSTRACT
Background: Valvular heart disease (VHD), predominantly of rheumatic aetiology, remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among young adults in rural India. Contemporary single-centre data from rural tertiary care facilities describing the full clinical and echocardiographic spectrum are relatively scarce.
Objective: To delineate the demographic characteristics, symptom profile, rhythm status and detailed echocardiographic features of consecutive patients with organic valvular heart disease evaluated at a rural tertiary care cardiac centre.
Methods: Records of 53 consecutive patients aged ³15 years with echocardiographically confirmed organic valvular stenosis or regurgitation of at least mild severity were analysed. Variables collected included age, sex, duration and nature of symptoms, presence of atrial fibrillation (AF), left-atrial (LA) diameter, left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and estimated right-ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP). Valve lesions were graded mild, moderate or severe according to standard criteria. Descriptive statistics were applied.
Results: Mean age was 43.8 ± 15.9 years (range 17–83 years); 32 patients (60.4%) were female. Shortness of breath was the presenting symptom in 51 (96.2%). AF was present in 22 (41.5%). Any mitral stenosis was found in 31 (58.5%), severe MS in 27 (50.9%); any mitral regurgitation in 36 (67.9%), severe MR in 22 (41.5%); any tricuspid regurgitation in 44 (83.0%), severe TR in 27 (50.9%); any aortic regurgitation in 34 (64.2%). Mean LA diameter was 47.0 mm; LVEF was ³50% in 51 (96.2%); mean estimated RVSP (n=50) was 61.9 mmHg.
Conclusion: The typical patient was a middle-aged female with multi-valvular rheumatic disease, frequent AF, left-atrial enlargement, preserved systolic function and significant pulmonary hypertension. These observations underscore the persistent burden of advanced RHD in rural referral practice and the continuing need for earlier detection and secondary prophylaxis.
Key words: Valvular heart disease; Rheumatic heart disease; Echocardiography; Atrial fibrillation; Pulmonary hypertension; Rural India; Tertiary care centre