title: Valvular heart disease--repair or replacement?
abstract: An estimated 3 million patients in India need treatment for valvular heart disease. Rheumatic heart disease continues to be the major aetiologic factor. The mitral valve is best conserved with valvotomy or repair. The aortic valve is difficult to repair and is best replaced by a biological substitute (autograft or homograft). The tricuspid valve can be repaired in all patients. Prosthetic valves offer good long term durability but introduce additional risks to the patients. Experience over the past three decades suggests that conservation of natural valve mechanism is currently the best option.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D002404:Catheterization; D000075202:Contraindications; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D012086:Reoperation; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology