Valvular Heart Disease

Abstract

June 2006

Section 1 Cardiovascular Medicine

XI Valvular Heart Disease

Ronan J. Curtin, M.D.
Fellow, Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic

Brian P. Griffin, M.D.
Vice Chairman, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, and Staff Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic

Valvular heart disease is an important cause of cardiac morbidity in developed countries despite a decline in the prevalence of rheumatic disease in those countries. This chapter discusses the many etiologies of valvular heart disease and presents methods for assessment and management. Specific valvular lesions discussed include mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse, aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, and tricuspid and pulmonary disease. The section on tricuspid disease includes a discussion of mechanical prostheses (ball-in-cage and tilting-disk) and biologic prostheses (xenografts, allografts, and autografts) and their complications. The chapter concludes with a discussion of anorexiant-induced valvular disorder. Figures include color photographs of pathologic specimens and numerous echocardiographic images of valvular lesions. Tables present causes of specific valvular lesions, assessment of patients with valvular heart disease, auscultatory findings associated with common valvular problems, and the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) recommendations for endocarditis prophylaxis. This chapter contains 128 references.

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