Clinical and laboratory features of acute rheumatic fever: a 18-year experience.

We present the retrospective analysis of clinical manifestations and laboratory findings observed in 30 patients (M/F 13/17; age range 9-66 yrs) affected by acute rheumatic fever observed within the Infectious Disease Department along a period of 18 years (1986-2004). Diagnosis of carditis was stated on clinical and echocardiographical bases and occurred in 50% of patients. Such patients presented mild to moderate heart disease (30%) and severe carditis (20%). Therefore, our data stand to confirm that rheumatic cardiac disease could determine permanent and/or severe heart damage. All patients were observed during a 48-month period of follow-up without exitus.