The influence of rheumatic fever on serum concentrations of the enzyme, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase

Variations in serum concentration of the enzyme, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, in 64 patients with rheumatic fever were studied. Elevations were noted in 17 of 26 patients with carditis of definite or questionable activity and transiently in one rheumatic subject with viral myocarditis. Except for one patient with polyarthritis and equivocal evidence of acute cardiac involvement, serum concentrations were normal during noncardiac rheumatic manifestations and inactive carditis. There was no relationship to temperature, sedimentation rate, white blood count or C-reactive protein. Intermittent necrosis of myocardial fibers probably leads to these increased serum transaminase concentrations.