THE FREQUENCY OF HBV, HCV AND HIV IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING PERCUTANEOUS MITRAL VALVULOPLASTY

Objective: Determine the frequency of Hepatitis B, C and HIV in patients undergoing mitral valvuloplasty with multitrack balloon catheters. Methods: This was a cross sectional study in which 100 consecutive patients of both sexes underwent percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty with multi track balloons catheters at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Karachi from January 2003 to December, 2004. The Viral markers of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen & Antibodies against Hepatitis C & HIV was done in all patients undergoing PTMC prior to procedure. Results: Out of 100 patients undergoing PTMC with multi track balloon catheters, 78 patients were females while 22 of them were males. Screening of these patients showed that 14% of them were Sero positive for HBV while 8% positive for HCV. None of screened patients were HIV positive. Conclusion: 1) The frequency of hepatitis B, C and HIV in patients undergoing PTMC (14% & 8%), as compared to normal population (2.56% for HBsAg) & (5.31% for anti-HCV) respectively. 2) In our country most of patients are non-affording and we have to reuse balloon catheters, so it should be mandatory to screen hepatitis B, C and HIV before undergoing invasive procedures. Balloon used in seropositive patients should be discarded. 3) National guidelines regarding reuse of various hardwire and other preventive measures are mandatory for patient's safety.