Valve Disease

Question 1

Define, heart valves narrowing.

Answer 1

Valve stenosis

Question 2

Define, heart valves that are unable to close properly.

Answer 2

Valve incompetence

Question 3

Valves on what side of the heart are most likely to experience issues?

Answer 3

Left side of heart

Question 4

What are the two heart valves that are most likely to experience problems and why?

Answer 4

The mitral and aortic valves. Because they are under the most pressure

Question 5

Which individuals are most at risk of valve disease?

Answer 5

1. Elderly
2. Those with Down’s syndrome

Question 6

What is the most common congenital abnormality that causes valve disease?

Answer 6

The bicuspid aortic valve, instead of the normal tricuspid valve.

Question 7

Papillary muscle rupture can be an acute complication of MI, how may this lead to valve disease?

Answer 7

Dysfunction leads to regurgitation of blood through valves, causing backward flow of blood

Question 8

What are the complications of rheumatic fever in regards to valve disease?

Answer 8

Rheumatic fever can cause rheumatic heart disease, leading to vegetation growing on heart valves which may become infected and can cause infective endocarditis

Question 9

Which two conditions can cause disease of the aortic root? meaning the valve does not close properly.

Answer 9

1. Syphilis
2. Aneurysm formation

Question 10

How is heart failure due to bicuspid aortic valve managed?

Answer 10

Replacement of aortic valve with prosthetic valve

Question 11

What are the valves on the right side of the heart called?

Answer 11

Pulmonary and tricuspid valves

Question 12

What two procedures are used to investigate valve disease?

Answer 12

1. Ultrasound scan
2. Doppler ultrasound scan

Question 13

What are the two types of prosthetic valve?

Answer 13

1. Mechanical
2. Biological

Question 14

which prosthetic valve has a longer clinical life (of up to 30 years)?

Answer 14

Mechanical valve

Question 15

Which prosthetic valve DOES NOT require a warfarin anticoagulant?

Answer 15

Biological (tissue) valve

Question 16

why does a mechanical valve require a warfarin anticoagulant to be taken in conjunction?

Answer 16

Because metal is present in a mechanical valve, anticoagulant must be taken to prevent blood clots from depositing onto the surface of the metal valve. This prevents embolism and problems with stroke.

Question 17

What source is a biological valve acquired from?

Answer 17

Pig

Question 18

What is the largest risk for patients with prosthetic heart valves?

Answer 18

The risk of infective endocarditis

Question 19

What should be considered and could be implemented prior to dental procedure if there is risk of infective endocarditis?

Answer 19

Antibiotic prophylaxis

Question 20

Which type of prosthetic valve has higher risk of infective endocarditis?

Answer 20

Mechanical (metal) valve