Category: Valvular Heart Disease

1. Introduction Valvular heart disease (VHD) encompasses a spectrum of disorders affecting the aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves. While some lesions remain stable for decades, others progress rapidly and lead to severe hemodynamic compromise. Understanding the natural history and progression of valvular lesions is essential for clinicians because it allows for appropriate timing of…

Introduction Valvular heart disease (VHD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite significant progress in surgical and interventional therapies over the past decades, the burden of VHD is expected to rise due to population aging, the persistence of rheumatic disease in developing regions, and the global epidemic of cardiovascular risk factors. Traditionally,…

Introduction Valvular heart disease (VHD) represents a major global health burden, particularly in aging populations and in regions where rheumatic heart disease remains prevalent. Disorders of the mitral, aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonic valves can lead to stenosis, regurgitation, or mixed lesions, each producing distinct hemodynamic and clinical consequences. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential to…

Introduction Among the four cardiac valves, the pulmonic valve is often the least discussed in clinical practice. This valve, located between the right ventricle (RV) and the pulmonary artery, ensures unidirectional blood flow during ventricular systole, propelling deoxygenated blood into the lungs for gas exchange. Compared to left-sided valvular lesions such as aortic or mitral…

Introduction The tricuspid valve is the largest of the four cardiac valves, located between the right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV). Despite its anatomical significance, tricuspid valve disease (TVD) has historically received less attention compared to left-sided valvular pathologies, such as mitral or aortic valve disease. However, with advances in echocardiography and increased awareness,…

1. Introduction Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the backward flow of blood from the left ventricle (LV) into the left atrium (LA) during systole, caused by incompetence of the mitral valve. It is the second most common valvular heart disease worldwide, after aortic stenosis, and has a wide range of etiologies, mechanisms, and clinical implications. The…

1. Introduction Mitral stenosis (MS) is one of the most characteristic and historically significant valvular heart diseases. It refers to the pathological narrowing of the mitral valve orifice, which impedes blood flow from the left atrium (LA) to the left ventricle (LV). Although the mitral valve may be affected by congenital, degenerative, or rare infiltrative…

Introduction Aortic regurgitation (AR), also called aortic insufficiency, is a valvular heart disease in which the aortic valve fails to close completely during diastole, allowing blood to leak backward from the aorta into the left ventricle (LV). This abnormality leads to volume overload of the LV, progressive dilation, and eventually systolic heart failure if untreated.…

1. Introduction Aortic stenosis (AS) is one of the most common and clinically significant forms of valvular heart disease, particularly in aging populations. Characterized by narrowing of the aortic valve orifice, it results in obstructed blood flow from the left ventricle (LV) to the aorta, leading to progressive pressure overload, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and…

Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. It encompasses structural or functional abnormalities of one or more of the cardiac valves—aortic, mitral, tricuspid, or pulmonary—that impair the heart’s ability to maintain unidirectional blood flow. Although congenital defects exist, most clinically relevant VHD in adults arises from degenerative changes,…