Rheumatic Valvular Disease

Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic Heart Disease is the sequelae of Rheumatic fever which is an infection by a bacterium (beta hemolytic streptococcus). The fever affects children or young adults. It typically presents with fever and joint inflammations. The common joints affected are knee, hip and elbow. The swelling and pain in joints has a characteristic ‘fleeting’ nature. They affect one joint at a time and seem to migrate from one joint to another. The joint lesions heal without any scar.

Rheumatic Valvular Disease is caused by the immunological reaction of the body which is misdirected at the valvular tissue. It causes inflammation and scarring of the heart valves and result in valve dysfunction – stenosis or regurgitation or a combination. Mitral valve is affected most. But other valves are also affected singly or along with mitral valve.

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