Which two valve pathologies are most characteristic when rheumatic disease is the cause?

Which two valve pathologies are most characteristic when rheumatic disease is the cause?

• A. Mitral stenosis and aortic stenosis
• B. Mitral regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation
• C. Aortic regurgitation and pulmonary stenosis
• D. Tricuspid stenosis and pulmonary stenosis

Answer: (A)

Rheumatic heart disease classically causes fibrous scarring with commissural fusion of the valves, most prominently narrowing the mitral valve and frequently involving the aortic valve as well. This makes mitral stenosis paired with aortic stenosis the most characteristic combination when rheumatic disease is the cause. While regurgitation can occur, and other valves like tricuspid or pulmonary are less commonly affected in the rheumatic process, the pattern of two stenotic lesions on left-sided valves is the hallmark.

Rheumatic heart disease classically causes fibrous scarring with commissural fusion of the valves, most prominently narrowing the mitral valve and frequently involving the aortic valve as well. This makes mitral stenosis paired with aortic stenosis the most characteristic combination when rheumatic disease is the cause. While regurgitation can occur, and other valves like tricuspid or pulmonary are less commonly affected in the rheumatic process, the pattern of two stenotic lesions on left-sided valves is the hallmark.