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Background Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa where it is the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality in the young. Rheumatic heart disease results from recurrent episodes of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), which are often difficult to diagnose clinically. Acute rheumatic fever may be diagnosed based on the revised Jones Criteria 2015 for the diagnosis of ARF. Histologically, acute rheumatic valvulitis manifests with active inflammation characterized by lymphocytic infiltration, Aschoff bodies, and Anitschkow cells. Chronic rheumatic valvulitis is associated with neovascularization, and/or dystrophic calcification. The combination of histological features of both ARF and chronic RHD is a rare finding. Case summary Here we report on a case of a 59-year-old woman with mixed aortic and mitral valve disease of probable rheumatic aetiology (elevated C-reactive protein and prolonged PR interval) and with histological evidence of lymphocytic infiltration, Aschoff bodies, and fibrinoid necrosis admixed with features of chronic RHD. Discussion Cases of chronic RHD admixed with ARF are very rare; however, they should be considered in regions with a high prevalence of RHDs.

Background Right ventricular aneurysms (RVAs) are rare. We present a case with a combined RVA and right ventricular pericardial fistula resulting in a pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. The RVA was detected 47 days after the patient suffered a gunshot wound. This report adds to the body of scarce literature on RVA aetiology, diagnoses, and treatment. Case summary A 30-year-old male patient presented with worsening respiratory distress over a 7-day period with clinical signs of cardiac tamponade following a history of a gunshot (with associated liver laceration, pulmonary embolism, right nephrectomy, and sepsis) 47 days prior. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a large circumferential pericardial effusion and an RVA. The patient was emergently taken for surgical repair of the RVA. Discussion Our case presents a delayed presentation of a gunshot heart and an aetiology with indications of and against a true aneurysm. It brings attention to possible complications of penetrating precordial injuries, with the need for consideration and possible evaluation at follow-up. The literature on the operative excision of RVA is reviewed and various aetiological factors and consequences are discussed.