rheumatic heart disease (DOID:0050827)
Alliance: disease page
Synonyms: rheumatic carditis
Alt IDs: DOID:9814, MESH:D012214
Definition: A heart valve disease that is characterized by repeated inflammation with fibrinous repair caused by an autoimmune reaction to Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GAS) that results in valvular damage. The cardinal anatomic changes of the valve include leaflet thickening, commissural fusion, and shortening and thickening of the tendinous cords.