ARF RHD Guideline
The 2020 Australian guideline for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (3.2 edition, March 2022)
The 2020 Guideline was written by Australian clinical and public health experts, researchers, and policymakers, and developed in collaboration with key stakeholders and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory group. It provides standards, recommendations, and guidance for providing clinically sound and culturally safe care to people living with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. (The 2020 guideline replaces the 2012 edition)
From 2022, this Guideline is only available in PDF format on the RHDAustralia website (no printed copies).
This is a living Guideline. Emerging national and international evidence related to ARF and RHD is reviewed regularly by relevant expert groups and the Guideline updated as indicated.
March 2022 Update
Recommendations for the management of borderline RHD were updated in March 2022 in response to new research findings. Download the summary document and a short video for an overview of the changes.
Key Information
Key information extracted from each chapter in the 2020 Australian guideline for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (3.2 edition, March 2022).
Tables and Figures
Important information extracted from the Guideline and presented in table format to support clinical care.
Priority classifications of ARF and RHD and recommended follow up
Referral algorithm for pregnant women with RHD
Recommended duration of secondary prophylaxis
Criteria for ARF diagnosis (updated 2020)
Priorities for managing ARF in acute settings
Guideline Development Framework
The Guideline Development Framework provides a summary of the 2020 Guideline review project. The Framework includes the project team, project governance, intellectual property, stakeholder engagement, and the process for endorsement. It also contains information about the process for expert consensus, editing and design, and acknowledgement of the writing groups.
Guideline Implementation
The Guideline Implementation Plan highlights the activities, strategies, and responsibilities of RHDAustralia and stakeholder organisations to implement the standards and recommendations in the 2020 Guideline and maintain a guideline that is current and relevant. It also includes the process used to review new and emerging evidence and make recommendation to the Guideline.