Systemic thromboembolism in rheumatic heart disease.

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Abstract
The results of 62 autopsies of patients with rheumatic heart disease were analyzed. The patients were 14-56 yr old (mean 26 yr). Thirteen patients had evidence of systemic thromboembolism (STE). All 13 patients had renal infarction, 2 had cerebral infarction and 1 had a splenic infarction. Only 1 case with cerebral infarct was diagnosed clinically. Of 30 patients with atrial fibrillation 7 had STE as did 6 of 32 patients with sinus rhythm. The type of valve involved and previous commissurotomy did not positively correlate with STE. The elderly male patients with atrial fibrillation demonstrated increased incidence of STE.