Standardisation of diagnostic protocols for early detection of rheumatic heart disease
PhD thesis by Bo Reményi – Menzies School of Health Research
My PhD project developed and implemented an ECHO based Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) diagnostic protocol that can be internationally endorsed and available to all countries with RHD control programs. These evidence-based diagnostic guidelines provide a robust foundation for early detection of rheumatic heart disease at a community level that is manageable, accurate and consistent. As well as maximising the detection of minor degrees of rheumatic heart disease, this research should also help prevent overtreatment of children without rheumatic heart disease.
Background
I am a paediatric cardiologist and a fellow of the Australasian College of Physicians. I graduated from the University of Queensland in 1999 and undertook further sub-specialty training at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and at the Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. My doctoral studies at the Menzies School of Health Research are focused on the standardisation of diagnostic protocols for early detection of rheumatic heart disease in children, and are part of an international collaboration supported by the World Heart Federation.
Related resources:
- WiRED’s Echo Training in Rheumatic Heart Disease Goes to the Field, Allison Kozicharow, Wired International
- Echo Nurse Training Modules
- RHD Australia
- Reményi, B. et. al. 2012 ‘World Heart Federation criteria for echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease—an evidence-based guideline‘, Nature Reviews Cardiology, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 297-309.
