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Defective Heart Valve Prognosis

Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the valves that control heart chambers and regulate forward blood flow through the heart malfunction. "People with valvular heart disease are living longer, with less morbidity, than ever before," The American Academy of Family Physicians says.

  1. Types

    • The mitral, aortic, tricuspid and pulmonary are the 4 types of heart valves affected by 2 primary diseases. Stenosis occurs when valves fail to open completely, while regurgitation results when valves refuse to close completely. A defective heart valve prognosis is dependent on the type of valve affected.

    Treatment

    • "Heart valve disease initially may be treated medically but, in most cases, surgery is necessary to repair or replace the damaged valve or valves," according to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. The large majority of procedures are conducted on the mitral or aortic valves.

    Identification

    • Valve repair and ring annuloplasty are the 2 most common types of repair procedures, while complete valve replacement utilizes either mechanical valves or those from pigs, cows or human donors.

    Aortic Prognosis

    • "Approximately 75 percent of patients with aortic stenosis will be dead three years after the onset of symptoms if the aortic valve is not replaced," says The American Academy of Family Physicians. Individuals suffering from aortic regurgitation may delay surgery for 2 to 3 years, with nifedipine (Procardia) therapy.

    Mitral Prognosis

    • Mitral valve repair has a lower rate of surgery-related fatality and better long-term prognosis than mitral valve replacement, indicating repair as a better option than replacement.

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