Which valve is most commonly affected by rheumatic heart disease?

Which valve is most commonly affected by rheumatic heart disease?

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

Answer: (B)

Rheumatic heart disease most often targets the mitral valve. After an infection with group A streptococcus, an autoimmune reaction damages heart valves, with the left-sided mitral valve bearing the brunt. The inflammation leads to thickening and fibrosis of the mitral leaflets and fusion at the commissures, which over time produces mitral stenosis (the classic chronic lesion). The aortic valve can be affected as well, but less commonly, and involvement of the tricuspid or pulmonary valves is rare. So, the valve most commonly affected is the mitral valve.

Rheumatic heart disease most often targets the mitral valve. After an infection with group A streptococcus, an autoimmune reaction damages heart valves, with the left-sided mitral valve bearing the brunt. The inflammation leads to thickening and fibrosis of the mitral leaflets and fusion at the commissures, which over time produces mitral stenosis (the classic chronic lesion). The aortic valve can be affected as well, but less commonly, and involvement of the tricuspid or pulmonary valves is rare. So, the valve most commonly affected is the mitral valve.