A relation between HLA antigens and clinical features in patients with acquired valvular heart disease.

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.