title: The challenge of valvular heart disease: when is it time to operate?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Joel P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Reginelli
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index