Abstract Background Rheumatic mitral valve disease (RMVD) is the most common presentation of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Inflammation and fibrosis processes also play significant roles in its pathogenesis. Recent studies showed that thiols and thiol-disulfide are promising novel oxidative stress markers. Objectives The present study aimed to evaluate differences in the serum thiol and thiol-disulfide levels in patients with RMVD and the control group. Methods Ninety-two patients with RMVD were enrolled in the study. Fifty-four healthy subjects, age, and gender-matched […]

Abstract Background: The underlying mechanisms by which rheumatic heart disease (RHD) lead to severe valve dysfunction are not completely understood. Objective: The present study evaluated the histopathological changes in mitral valves (MV) seeking an association between the pattern of predominant valvular dysfunction and histopathological findings. Methods: In 40 patients who underwent MV replacement due to RHD, and in 20 controls that underwent heart transplant, histological aspects of the excised MV were analyzed. Clinical and echocardiographic data were also collected. Histological […]

A 60-year-old Caucasian female with a history of rheumatic mitral stenosis, permanent atrial fibrillation and chronic lymphocytic leukemia was admitted due to decompensated chronic heart failure. The transthoracic echocardiogram depicted a severe mitral stenosis (anatomic valve area of 0.9 cm2), mild mitral regurgitation, aneurysmatic left atrium and mildly compromised left ventricular ejection fraction. Given the indication for mitral valve replacement, coronary angiography was performed, revealing an abnormal vascularized mass at the level of the left atrium beyond normal coronary arteries […]