| Define: | Cardiac manifestation of systemic rheumatological conditions, such as RHEUMATIC FEVER. Rheumatic heart disease can involve any part the heart, most often the HEART VALVES and the ENDOCARDIUM. | 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. |