EFFECT OF ACTH AND CORTISONE ON RHEUMATIC CARDITIS

Abstract

In May, 1949, Hench and his co-workers¹published their first paper on the treatment of acute rheumatic fever with cortisone and corticotropin (ACTH). These authors found that the effect on fever, polyarthritis, general "toxicity," and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was striking, and these results have now been amply confirmed.²In this preliminary report Hench and his associates stated that the effect on rheumatic carditis was difficult to evaluate. In the opinion of those authors, patients receiving hormone therapy would have to be observed for many months before it could be determined whether chronic organic injury to the heart valves or myocardium had been prevented or decreased. <h3>PLAN OF STUDY</h3> In order to determine the effect of corticotropin and cortisone on rheumatic carditis, patients with rheumatic fever who had definite symptoms and signs of cardiac involvement were selected. The results obtained in 16 children, 1 adolescent, and 1 adult