Proceedings of the Jones Criteria Workshop

of the American Heart Association met with a group of international experts on rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, and streptococcal infections to review guidelines for the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever using the Jones criteria, including the 1992 statement on the “Jones Criteria Updated.”1 Formal presentations during the meeting included an historical review of the Jones criteria, beginning with the original publication in 19442 through several revisions of the guidelines, including the latest statement in 1992.1 A review of the worldwide impact of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease was presented, as well as an overview of the recent resurgence of rheumatic fever in certain regions of the United States. Extensive discussion focused on the diagnostic potential of Doppler echocardiography and its possible role in the diagnosis of acute rheumatic carditis. In addition, data on