Daniel W Mutithu, Olukayode O Aremu, Dipolelo Mokaila, Tasnim Bana, Mary Familusi, Laura Taylor, Lorna J Martin, Laura J Heathfield, Jennifer A Kirwan, Lubbe Wiesner, Henry A Adeola, Evelyn N Lumngwena, Rodgers Manganyi, Sebastian Skatulla, Richard Naidoo, Ntobeko A B Ntusi
INTRODUCTION: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), degenerative aortic stenosis (AS), and congenital valve diseases are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. Many knowledge gaps remain in understanding disease mechanisms, stratifying phenotypes, and prognostication. Therefore, we aimed to characterise patients through clinical profiling, imaging, histology, and molecular biomarkers to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and prognosis of RHD and AS. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, case-controlled study, we plan to recruit RHD and AS patients and compare them to matched controls...
2024: PloS One