Aortic valve replacement in rheumatoid aortic incompetence

Cardiac valvular involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is rare and seldom so severe as to require surgery. The present report is concerned with a case of rheumatoid aortic incompetence successfully treated by prosthetic valve replacement. As suggested by previous similar reports, surgery is the most effective therapy for clinically significant rheumatoid endocarditis.