Pulse therapy combined with oral corticosteroids in the management of severe rheumatic carditis and rebound

ABSTRACT

Abstract Objective: The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical course, laboratory tests, and thecardiac involvement in rheumatic carditis patients in functional class III and IV, submitted to pulse therapycombined with oral prednisone. Methods: A total of 120 patients with severe carditis due to acute rheumatic feverwere treatment with three cycles of pulse therapy combined with oral corticosteroids. The patients were followedup from the hospital admission until the end of the treatment and returned after 30, 60, and 90 days to control.The patients were evaluated by clinical, laboratory, and transthoracic echocardiogram. Results: In total, 23(19.2%) patients at first attack of rheumatic fever and 97 (80.8%) with recurrent carditis were evaluated. Cardiacsurgery was performed in 8 (6.6%) patients. The patients showed improved laboratory and radiologicalparameters (p<0.001) and were discharged, 74 (61.7%) in functional class I and 46 (38.3%) in functional classII. Hospitalisation time ranged from 21 to 176 days, with a mean of 69.1 days. Reduction of left atrium andventricle diameters was observed, measured by means of transthoracic echocardiography, at hospital admissionand discharge (p <0.001). None of the patients experienced rebound. Conclusions: The pulse therapy was effectivein controlling severe rheumatic carditis and the oral corticosteroid prevented rebound episodes. Prolongedhospital stay was required for the clinical stabilisation of patients and to avoid the interruption of medication...