Rheumatic heart disease

Question 1

What is RHD?

Answer 1

Heart valves permanently damages due to rheumatic fever

Question 2

What is rheumatic fever?

Answer 2

Complication of untreated streptococcal infection
Causes inflammatory changes in the heart and joints
- Polyarthritis
- Skin rashes
- Fever
- Pancarditis

Question 3

What are aschoff bodies?

Answer 3

Nodules found in the hearts of individuals with rheumatic fever

Question 4

What does pancarditis develop into?

Answer 4

Chronic rheumatic heart disease
Mainly manifests as vascular abnormalities

Question 5

What valvular abnormalities occur as a result of RHD?

Answer 5

Stenosis
Regurgitation
Vegetation

Question 6

What is vegetation?

Answer 6

Infective or thrombotic nodules develop on valve leaflets impairing mobility

Question 7

What are the symptoms of RHD?

Answer 7

Fever
Chest pain
Fatigue
Difficulty breathing
Swollen joints
Heart palpitations
Nodules on skin

Question 8

What is the treatment of RHD?

Answer 8

NSAIDs- aspirin
Steroids- cortisone
Valve repair surgery