EFFECTS OF HIGH-DOSE INTRAVENOUS METHYLPREDNISOLONE IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE RHEUMATIC CARDITIS

In order to measure the effects of high-dose intravenous methylprednis olone (HIVMP) and compare its efficiency with that of oral prednisolon e (OP), 18 patients with active rheumatic carditis were studied. Ten p atients received OF. while eight patients were treated with HIVMP. Cli nical and laboratory responses to treatment were followed by sleeping pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (E SR), cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), PR interval on electrocardiogram. spe ctral and color flow imaging and Doppler echocardiographic findings: m itral and aortic regurgitant jet flow area, left atrial area, proximal width of mitral regurgitant jet area and regurgitation fractions. The results of patients in the HIVMP group showed statistically significa nt changes in SR and CTR when compared with the patients receiving OP, and the recovery was more rapid. HIVMP therapy fan be considered as a new method of treatment for acute rheumatic carditis