The challenge of valvular heart disease: when is it time to operate?
In patients with valve disease, operating too soon exposes them to unnecessary surgical risk, but waiting too long may lead to cardiac damage and poor outcome. When to refer a patient for surgery depends on which valve is involved, the type of defect (stenosis or regurgitation), the degree of the defect, and the degree of symptoms or functional impairment.
Reginelli
Joel P
JP
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
Griffin
Brian
B
D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index