Question

A 6-year-old Aboriginal boy from a remote community presents with fever, migratory polyarthritis affecting knees and ankles, and a new pansystolic murmur at the apex. He had a sore throat 3 weeks ago. Which investigation is most important to assess acute rheumatic fever-related cardiac involvement?

Accepted Answer

Transthoracic echocardiogram

Answer

ASO (antistreptolysin O) titre

Answer

Full blood count and CRP

Answer

Throat swab for group A streptococcus

Answer

Chest X-ray

Practice question

A 6-year-old Aboriginal boy from a remote community presents with fever, migratory polyarthritis affecting knees and ankles, and a new pansystolic murmur at the apex. He had a sore throat 3 weeks ago. Which investigation is most important to assess acute rheumatic fever-related cardiac involvement?