True statement about rheumatization of MVa) Fusion & shortening of chordae tendineae in MSb) Calcification of MVc) Aortic dilationd) Annular involvement
First, I need to recall what rheumatization of the MV entails. Rheumatism here refers to rheumatic heart disease, which is a complication of untreated streptococcal infection, leading to inflammation and damage to the heart valves. The mitral valve is commonly affected.
Looking at the options:
a) Fusion & shortening of chordae tendineae in MS. Wait, MS stands for mitral stenosis. In mitral stenosis, the valve leaflets become fused and thickened. The chordae tendineae can also become fused and shortened, which is a feature of chronic MS. So option A might be correct.
b) Calcification of MV. Calcification can occur in chronic valve disease, but is it a feature of rheumatization specifically? Maybe in later stages, but not the primary feature. Not sure yet.
c) Aortic dilation. Aortic dilation is more associated with aortic regurgitation or aneurysms, not directly with rheumatic mitral valve disease. So probably not C.
d) Annular involvement. The annulus is the ring-like structure supporting the valve. In rheumatic heart disease, the annulus can become thickened and dilated, contributing to mitral regurgitation. So option D could be a possibility.
But the question is about "rheumatization" specifically. The initial process involves inflammation leading to leaflet damage. In chronic MS, the chordae tendineae do fuse and shorten as part of the scarring process. So option A is a true statement.
Option B, calcification, is a later change, not the primary rheumatization. Option D, annular involvement, is more about annular calcification or dilation in chronic cases. But the question is about the true statement regarding rheumatization. So the answer is A.
**Core Concept**
Rheumatization of the mitral valve (MV) refers to the inflammatory process in rheumatic heart disease, leading to characteristic structural changes. Key features include leaflet thickening, fusion of commissures, and chordal abnormalities in mitral stenosis (MS).
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Option A is correct because in chronic MS, **fusion and shortening of chordae tendineae** occur due to repeated inflammatory episodes. This leads to restricted valve mobility and worsens stenosis. The chordae become rigid and shortened, contributing to the "fish-mouth" appearance on imaging.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option B:** Calcification of the MV is a late complication, not an early feature of rheumatization. It occurs in advanced cases due to degenerative changes, not directly from the inflammatory process.
**Option C:** Aortic dilation is unrelated to rheumatic MV disease; it is more common in conditions like aortic regurgitation or aneurysms.
**Option D:** Annular involvement (e.g., dilation) occurs in mitral regurgitation but is not a defining feature of rheumatization. Annular calcification may develop later but is not intrinsic to the initial inflammatory process.
**Clinical Pearl**
Remember: **"