In rheumatic fever, which EKG finding may be seen?

In rheumatic fever, which EKG finding may be seen?

• A. Prolonged QT interval
• B. Short PR interval
• C. Q waves
• D. Prolonged PR interval

Answer: (D)

Rheumatic fever can involve the heart's conduction system, leading to delays in AV nodal conduction. The PR interval on an electrocardiogram measures the time from the start of atrial depolarization to the start of ventricular depolarization; when the AV node conducts slowly due to inflammatory involvement, this interval lengthens, producing a prolonged PR interval. This finding can occur during the acute phase of rheumatic fever and is often transient as the inflammation subsides. Other listed changes aren’t typical markers of acute rheumatic fever. A prolonged QT interval reflects ventricular repolarization issues and is not a characteristic feature here. A short PR interval suggests pre-excitation syndromes, not inflammatory AV nodal delay. Q waves imply prior myocardial infarction or lasting myocardial scar, which doesn’t fit the acute rheumatic fever picture.

Rheumatic fever can involve the heart's conduction system, leading to delays in AV nodal conduction. The PR interval on an electrocardiogram measures the time from the start of atrial depolarization to the start of ventricular depolarization; when the AV node conducts slowly due to inflammatory involvement, this interval lengthens, producing a prolonged PR interval. This finding can occur during the acute phase of rheumatic fever and is often transient as the inflammation subsides.

Other listed changes aren’t typical markers of acute rheumatic fever. A prolonged QT interval reflects ventricular repolarization issues and is not a characteristic feature here. A short PR interval suggests pre-excitation syndromes, not inflammatory AV nodal delay. Q waves imply prior myocardial infarction or lasting myocardial scar, which doesn’t fit the acute rheumatic fever picture.