How is Rheumatic Heart Disease Identified Histologically?
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a sequela of acute rheumatic fever, and its histological hallmark is the presence of Aschoff bodies in the myocardium. These are granulomatous lesions with a central area of necrosis surrounded by inflammatory cells. The affected valves exhibit fibrotic thickening, commissural fusion, and neovascularization, which can lead to both stenosis and regurgitation.
