An obstruction in the blood flow to the heart due to the narrowing of valves is called valve stenosis. Tissues of the valve flaps become stiffer or thickened due to the stenosis, which further cuts down the blood supply and reduces the performance of the heart. Whenever the valve doesn’t close tightly, there will be a backflow of blood and it is known as regurgitation (valvular insufficiency). Organic and functional mitral regurgitation is a case in point. Valvular heart disease can be congenital or acquired. In most cases, the congenital valvular disease involves pulmonary or aortic valves, whereas the acquired disease involves aortic or mitral valves. Angina, shortness of breath, dizziness and excess fatigue are some of the main symptoms of valvular heart diseases. Both the stenosis and leakage issues can lead to severe cardio vascular events and complications. Advanced aortic valve implantation procedure is a preferred surgical approach to treat valve stenosis and regurgitation.
Advanced aortic valve implantation is an open heart surgery procedure during which the damaged aortic valve is removed and replaced with a prosthesis. Aortic valve balloon valvuloplasty and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are minimally invasive treatment alternatives available for managing valvular diseases. Even after the valve implantation, the physician will advise the patients to follow some
medications. Oral anticoagulants are prescribed to prevent the risks of valve-associated thrombosis and strokes. Evidencebased vitamin k antagonist guidelines are followed by the physicians for the antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy for patients with artificial valves.
