Which valve is most commonly involved in rheumatic heart disease?

Which valve is most commonly involved in rheumatic heart disease?

• A. Aortic
• B. Pulmonary
• C. Mitral
• D. Tricuspid

Answer: (C)

Rheumatic heart disease arises from an autoimmune reaction after group A Streptococcus pharyngitis, and it most prominently targets the left-sided heart valves. The mitral valve is the most commonly affected because of the high pressures across it and the way the immune response damages valve tissue, leading to thickening, shortening of the chordae, and fusion at the commissures. Over time this process often produces mitral stenosis, classically described as a narrowed, fish-mouth orifice, though mitral regurgitation can occur earlier in the disease course. The aortic valve can be involved but is less common, and right-sided valves like the tricuspid or pulmonary valves are infrequently affected. So, the mitral valve is the best answer.

Rheumatic heart disease arises from an autoimmune reaction after group A Streptococcus pharyngitis, and it most prominently targets the left-sided heart valves. The mitral valve is the most commonly affected because of the high pressures across it and the way the immune response damages valve tissue, leading to thickening, shortening of the chordae, and fusion at the commissures. Over time this process often produces mitral stenosis, classically described as a narrowed, fish-mouth orifice, though mitral regurgitation can occur earlier in the disease course. The aortic valve can be involved but is less common, and right-sided valves like the tricuspid or pulmonary valves are infrequently affected. So, the mitral valve is the best answer.