Prosthetic Heart Valves

Question 1

What are the criteria for urgent valvular replacement? [4]

Answer 1

The criteria for urgent valvular replacement are as follows:
* Severe congestive cardiac failure
* Overwhelming sepsis despite antibiotic therapy (+/- perivalvular abscess, fistulae, perforation)
* Recurrent embolic episodes despite antibiotic therapy
* Pregnancy