Rheumatic Heart Disease

**Semantic type:** Disease or Syndrome

**Definition:** An autoinflammatory condition following an infection with Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS), in which the heart is attacked by antibodies formed in reaction to a recent GABHS infection. Chief anatomic changes of the valve include leaflet thickening, commissural fusion, and shortening and thickening of the tendinous cords, all of which can result in valvular dysfunction.

**Synonyms:** - RHD