Rheumatic "Activity" as Judged by the Presence of Aschoff Bodies in Auricular Appendages of Patients with Mitral Stenosis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Left auricular appendages from 183 patients, removed at operation for mitral stenosis, have been studied with regard to presence of Aschoff bodies and endocardial thrombi. An over-all incidence of Aschoff lesions of 40 per cent was found. There was a significant decrease in Aschoff lesions in the presence of thrombosis. The occurrence of Aschoff bodies in the appendages is correlated with the findings in the remainder of the heart in autopsied cases.