Surgeons who prefer valve replacement over valve reconstruction often claim that they are uncertain about the long-term benefits of valve reconstruction. Another assertion is that failure following valve repair is…
Although rare, various types of trauma can be responsible for valvular lesions that may not be recognized unless a systematic search is conducted after major penetrating or blunt trauma or…
Mediastinal irradiation, such as that used in the treatment of Hodgkin’s disease or breast cancer, may induce cardiac lesions namely constrictive pericarditis, restrictive cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, conduction disturbances, and/or…
Primary cardiac valve tumors are rare and comprise about 10% of all cardiac tumors, which are rare themselves. The most common tumors are papillary fibroelastoma followed by myxoma and fibroma…
In the 1990s several studies reported the association between appetite suppressant medications and valvular heart disease, particularly aortic and mitral regurgitation. These medications included fenfluramine and its D-isomer dexfenfluramine used…
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease of the left and/or right ventricle characterized by the development of myocardial hypertrophy predominant at the interventricular septum. There is no direct cause, such as…
Degenerative valvular diseases are the main cause of mitral valve dysfunction in developed countries today and the “pain quotidien” * * See Glossary . of the valvular surgeon. They are…
Immune-mediated systemic diseases can create valvular lesions, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus, primary antiphospholipid syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS Systemic lupus erythematosus is an immune complex–mediated inflammatory…
The term “ischemic valvular disease” defines valve regurgitation due to ventricular ischemia or ventricular infarction is classified by the term “ischemic valvular disease.” This definition excludes preexisting valvular diseases in…
Endomyocardial fibrosis is characterized by progressive fibrosis and thickening of the ventricular endocardium that result in restrictive cardiomyopathy. The prevalence of this disease is greater in tropical and subtropical countries…
