Reumatische hartziekte II: Klinische verschijnselen en diagnostisch onderzoek

Clinical manifestations of Rheumatic Heart Disease, or RHD, include the following.

Carditis is a key feature of acute rheumatic fever, characterized by new heart murmurs, chest pain, palpitations, and dyspnea.

Chronic RHD often stems from repeated episodes of carditis, resulting in valvular damage.

Patients may experience palpitations, persistent heart murmurs, atrial fibrillation, and signs of chronic heart failure like peripheral edema.

Echocardiography provides detailed heart images and assesses left atrial size and ventricular function. It can identify vegetation or thrombi. Electrocardiography detects arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.

A chest X-ray may reveal cardiomegaly and pulmonary congestion.

A Doppler ultrasound assesses valvular stenosis or regurgitation severity.

Lastly, blood tests, including antistreptolysin O titer, C-reactive protein, and ESR, may support the diagnosis by indicating recent streptococcal infection and inflammation.