rheumatic

Definition and Pathophysiology Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a chronic sequela of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), an autoimmune disorder triggered by group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis—not skin infections (though the role of pyodergha is debated in some endemic regions). RHD manifests as permanent structural damage to cardiac valves, primarily affecting the mitral valve (>65% of…