Rheumatic Fever Overview

A blood clot that forms inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood.

A piece of a thrombus that breaks off and travels through the bloodstream, potentially blocking a smaller blood vessel.

A condition characterized by the death of heart muscle tissue due to a lack of oxygen.

A type of myocardial infarction where the damage extends through the entire thickness of the heart wall.

A type of myocardial infarction limited to the inner layer of the heart wall.

A narrowing or constriction of a blood vessel, often due to plaque buildup.

A condition characterized by a sudden and unexpected death caused by a cardiac event.

A congenital heart defect where the heart is located on the right side of the chest.

A type of congenital heart defect where blood flows abnormally from the left side of the heart to the right.

A congenital heart defect characterized by a hole in the wall separating the two ventricles of the heart.

A common heart condition that develops after untreated or poorly treated acute rheumatic fever. It leads to permanent damage to the heart valves, primarily affecting the mitral valve. This damage can cause stenosis (narrowing) or insufficiency (leakage), leading to heart failure.

A condition triggered by an infection with Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (Strep throat). It leads to inflammation in various tissues, including heart, joints, and skin. This inflammation can cause long-term damage to the heart valves, leading to Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease.

A common consequence of Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease. It occurs when the mitral valve narrows, restricting blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. This can lead to increased pressure in the left atrium, leading to atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and other complications.

Abnormal growths that form on the heart valves, usually in the context of bacterial endocarditis. They are made up of bacteria, blood clots, and inflammatory cells. These growths can damage the valves, causing leakage or narrowing.

An infection that occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and colonize the heart valves or the inner lining of the heart. This is a serious condition that can cause permanent damage to the heart valves and can lead to heart failure.

A type of endocarditis that usually affects previously damaged heart valves. It develops slowly and is caused by less aggressive bacteria. This type of endocarditis can lead to heart failure.

A type of endocarditis that affects healthy heart valves. It is caused by highly aggressive bacteria and develops rapidly. If untreated, it can lead to severe heart failure and even death.

A complex of criteria used to diagnose Rheumatic Fever. These criteria include major manifestations like arthritis, carditis, subcutaneous nodules, erythema marginatum, and Sydenham chorea, and minor manifestations like fever, joint pain, elevated ESR, and presence of Strep infection.

Small, microscopic nodules found in the myocardium (heart muscle) of patients with Rheumatic Fever. These nodules are characteristic of Rheumatic Fever and represent an inflammatory response to the Streptococcus infection.

Large, irregular growths on the surface of the heart valves, specifically seen in patients with Rheumatic Fever. These growths are associated with valvular inflammation and damage.

A type of endocarditis characterized by small, loose vegetations on heart valves, caused by fibrin, platelets, and bacteria. These vegetations are relatively smaller than those seen in bacterial endocarditis.

A type of endocarditis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), characterized by small vegetations on both sides of heart valves, caused by circulating antiphospholipid antibodies. Microscopically, vasculitis is present, leading to valve deformation due to fibrosis.

A condition affecting the endocardium and heart valves, often on the right side of the heart, characterized by activation of serotonin and bradykinin in the lungs via monoamine oxidase (MAO). It presents with a constellation of symptoms including episodic flushing, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a fibrous, abnormal thickening of the endocardium.

Inflammation of the myocardium, the muscular layer of the heart, can be a component of systemic diseases or an isolated disorder. Causes include infection, immune reactions, unknown factors, sarcoidosis, and anti-cell myocardial antibodies.

A benign, self-limited form of myocarditis, typically viral, that features pale or yellowish spots on the myocardium. Importantly, healing occurs without scar formation, which can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy.

A rare type of myocarditis characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from asymptomatic recovery without sequelae to heart failure or sudden cardiac death. It can mimic myocardial infarction (MI), potentially progressing to dilated cardiomyopathy.

A condition resulting from primary abnormalities within the myocardium, often of idiopathic origin. Classified into three main types: dilated (90%), hypertrophic, and restrictive.

The most common type of cardiomyopathy, characterized by progressive cardiac hypertrophy and dilation, leading to contractile dysfunction. Causes include myocarditis, viral infections, toxic effects of alcohol, idiopathic factors, pregnancy-associated conditions, and genetic or familial predisposition.

A type of cardiomyopathy characterized by impaired ventricular compliance, leading to reduced ventricular filling during diastole. This results in normal-sized ventricles with non-dilated cavities. Causes include idiopathic factors, radiation fibrosis, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, and metastatic tumors.

An imbalance between the demand for and supply of oxygen to the heart muscle, often related to acute changes in atheroma. It rarely results from vascular spasm. Clinically, it manifests as myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, IHD, and sudden cardiac death.

A congenital heart defect where blood flows from the left atrium to the right atrium, bypassing the lungs. This leads to increased blood flow to the lungs.

A congenital heart defect where a duct between the aorta and pulmonary artery remains open after birth, allowing blood to flow from the aorta to the pulmonary artery. This can cause increased blood flow to the lungs.

A rare type of congenital heart disease where the aorta is narrowed, causing restricted blood flow to the body.

The most common cyanotic congenital heart disease, characterized by a combination of four defects: ventricular septal defect (VSD), pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, and an overriding aorta.

A thickened and scarred pericardium, restricting the heart's ability to expand and pump efficiently.

A type of pericarditis where the pericardium becomes thick and inflamed, often due to tuberculosis infection.

An inflammation of the pericardium that can occur after surgery or radiation therapy.

A condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to meet the body's needs.

A right-to-left shunt in the heart where oxygen-poor blood from the right side of the heart enters the systemic circulation, causing early cyanosis.