Histopathology of auricular appendages in rheumatic heart disease.

Forty-four left auricular appendages removed from patients presenting clinically as rheumatic heart disease (RHD) were subjected to histopathologic examination. The aim was to identify the changes so far reported in RHD. It was found that Aschoff's nodules, though specific for RHD, are much less frequent than the other changes reported. Viewing the histopathologic alterations in the perspective of clinical data is important in identifying the rheumatic process.