THE ROLE OF PROCALCITONIN AS A MARKER IN CHRONIC RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

Chronic rheumatic heart disease (CRHD) remains one of the leading causes of acquired heart defects in children and adolescents in developing countries. Procalcitonin (PCT), a peptide precursor of calcitonin, is a sensitive marker of systemic inflammatory response and may reflect the activity of rheumatic inflammation and secondary bacterial infection. Determining serum procalcitonin levels may improve the early diagnosis, prognosis, and management of CRHD during exacerbations.