Intermediate
Technical
IVT
rheumatic heart disease
Chronic valvular damage resulting from acute rheumatic fever, typically affecting mitral and aortic valves with characteristic pathological changes.
Full Definition
Rheumatic heart disease develops as a sequela of acute rheumatic fever following group A streptococcal infection. The pathological process involves molecular mimicry leading to cross-reactive antibodies that damage cardiac tissues. Characteristic features include commissural fusion, leaflet thickening, chordal shortening, and calcification. The mitral valve is most commonly affected, followed by the aortic valve. Chronic changes may lead to stenosis, regurgitation, or mixed lesions.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as RHD in clinical contexts.
In Context
- "The excised mitral valve showed classic features of rheumatic heart disease with commissural fusion and leaflet thickening." — surgical pathology report
- "Rheumatic heart disease was evident on gross examination with the characteristic 'fish mouth' appearance of the mitral valve orifice." — autopsy report
Also known as
RHD
chronic rheumatic valvular disease
Contrasted with
degenerative valve disease
congenital valve disease
Don't confuse with
degenerative mitral valve disease
bicuspid aortic valve