Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, despite its importance as a prognostic factor, has been underestimated in patients with rheumatic valvular disease.  Early detection of RV functional changes may improve the outcome of patients particularly if detected in early stages of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) (mild to moderate).
Objective: To assess RV function in patients with early stages of RHD and in order to observe changes in RV function, we repeated the measurements (follow up) at 6 months form baseline.
Patients and methods: 50 consecutive patients with mild to moderate valvular RHD were enrolled in this study in which we assessed the RV systolic and diastolic functions, LA and RA volume and sPAP.
Results: In RHD patients with mild to moderate valvular lesion RV systolic function was normal by using different methods (TAPSE, RIMP, FAC and S' wave). TAPSE was normal at baseline & follow up with increase at follow up but with statistical insignificant difference. 2D FAC is normal at baseline & follow up with decrease at follow up but with statistically insignificant difference. RIMP showed impaired RV systolic function at baseline with mean of 0.73 ± 0.26 & at follow up with mean of 0.56 ± 0.14 with statistically significant decrease at follow up. S' wave showed normal RV systolic function at baseline (mean 14.32 ± 2.36) & follow up (mean 13.09 ± 1.48) with statistical significant decrease at follow up.
Conclusion: There is association between RV functions and degree of valve disease in patients with RHD.