ABSTRACT
Rheumatic fever (RF) is a poststreptococcal inflammatory illness with multiorgan involvement commonly affecting the joints, brain, heart, or skin. Although most of the manifestations are self-limiting and resolve without sequelae, cardiac changes may persist and account for the majority of the morbidity and mortality associated with the acute illness. Acute rheumatic carditis varies in severity from very mild to severe
cases with significant acute mitral and=or aortic regurgitation resulting in heart failure. Of all patients with acute RF, severe carditis resulting in signs and symptoms of heart failure occurs in 13-64%, depending on the series reported and whether patients with recurrences are included (Table 1) (1-10). The acute rheumatic cardiac involvement may resolve or persist and evolve as chronic rheumatic valvular disease, with heart failure developing years after the initial episode in some cases (11).
