Valvular Heart Disease

Within the heart are four valves that regulate the direction of blood flow through the heart, the tricuspid, pulmonic, mitral, and aortic valves.  These valves can become leaky and improperly allow blood to flow backwards through the heart, a condition called regurgitation or insufficiency.  Valves can also become narrowed and make it difficult for the heart to pump blood through to the body, a condition called stenosis.  

Most commonly, the aortic and mitral valves, which are on the more important left side of the heart, are affected.  When regurgitation or stenosis are mild, patients are treated with medications.  Typically, valvular disease will progress in severity over time and will require surgical replacement or repair.  Whenever possible surgeons will attempt to repair a patient’s valve prior to replacement, particularly with the mitral valve.  There are many valve replacement options utilizing biological or mechanical materials.  Valve operations have become safer and replacement valves have become more durable.