Rheumatoid Nodule Causing Perforation of Anterior Mitral Leaflet and Severe Mitral Regurgitation: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disorder that is chronic in nature and difficult to treat. RA presents in many variants. Here we present an interesting case only seldom described before. Our patient presented to emergency room with acute shortness of breath and was seen to have acute pulmonary edema. Patient later had urgent echocardiography which revealed severe mitral regurgitation from ruptured anterior leaflet. Patient was taken for heart valve replacement and was found to have RA nodule on ruptured leaflet. There are cases involving aortic valve but to our knowledge there are no reports of RA nodule on mitral leaflet.