Valvular Heart Disease Flashcards
Definition of Valvular Heart Disease?
A valve regulates flow in one direction only
What is stenosis?
Narrowed valve that impedes forward flow
What is regurgitation?
A leaky valve that allows reverse flow
What are vegetation’s?
Abnormal tissue growth on valve (clot or bacteria). Can cause stenosis or regurgitation.
What are the causes of stenosis?
Stenosis of left-sided vales is most common.
Mainly due to primary valve cusp abnormality. Tends to be a chronic process
What are the causes of regurgitation?
May result from disease of cusps but also damage to supporting structures (tendinous cords, papillary muscles)- acute or chronic
What the causes of vegetations?
bacteria - infective endocarditis
Inflammation - e.g. rheumatic fever
clot - fibrin, platelets
What are the symptoms for valvular heart disease?
Syncope (temporary loss of consciousness caused by low BP), stroke or systemic emboli, arrhythmia, classic triad for aortic stenosis: angina, SOB syncope
