| Abstract: | Analysis of the HLA antigen patterns in patients with acquired valvular heart disease showed that antigens A29 and AW30/31 occurred more often in those patients whose valvular disease was not preceeded by a history of rheumatic fever or chorea. Patients with no rheumatic history but with antigen A29 or AW30/31 had clinical features that distinguished them from others with valvular disease--namely, (a) isolated mitral valve disease and (b) the need for surgery, often at an early age, after a relatively short duration of symptoms. |
