Acute rheumatic fever with heart involvement

**Definition:** A disease of the cardiovascular system, caused as a result of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic heart disease is characterised by repeated inflammation with fibrinous repair. This disease may present with cardinal anatomic changes of the valve including leaflet thickening, commissural fusion, and shortening and thickening of the tendinous cords. Inflammation and valve scarring may also occur. Confirmation is by a thoracic radiography or echocardiography.

**Long definition:** Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most significant sequela of Rheumatic Fever (RF). Rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are nonsuppurative complications of Group A streptococcal pharyngitis due to a delayed immune response.

**Exclusions:** - Rheumatic mitral valve stenosis - Rheumatic mitral valve insufficiency - Rheumatic mitral valve prolapse - Rheumatic mitral stenosis with insufficiency - Rheumatic aortic valve stenosis - Rheumatic aortic valve insufficiency - Rheumatic aortic stenosis with insufficiency - Rheumatic tricuspid valve stenosis - Rheumatic tricuspid valve insufficiency - Rheumatic tricuspid valve stenosis with insufficiency - Rheumatic pulmonary valve stenosis - Rheumatic pulmonary valve insufficiency - Rheumatic pulmonary valve stenosis with insufficiency