Acquired Heart Valve Disease
Disease Description
Acquired heart valve disease is a disorder of cardiac function that develops as a result of functional and/or structural changes in one or more heart valves.
These changes may present as valve stenosis, valve regurgitation (insufficiency), or a combination of both. For this reason, acquired heart defects are often referred to as valvular heart disease.
Causes of the Disease
Acquired heart valve disease develops as a result of conditions that arise after birth, such as arterial hypertension, rheumatic heart disease, atherosclerosis, septic (infective) endocarditis, and other systemic disorders.
In economically developed countries with increasing life expectancy, degenerative aortic valve disease predominates. In developing countries, rheumatic mitral valve disease remains the leading cause and often affects relatively young patients.
Special attention should be given to a history of rheumatic fever in childhood, as such patients require close cardiology follow-up to ensure timely surgical intervention when needed.
Based on the mechanism of valve dysfunction, heart valve disease is divided into two main types:
1. Stenosis
A significant narrowing of the valve opening, which obstructs normal blood flow during valve opening, causing blood to effectively “push against a closed door.”
2. Regurgitation (Insufficiency)
Incomplete valve closure, resulting in backward flow of blood into the heart chamber.
Combined valve disease is also recognized, involving damage to multiple valves or a combination of stenosis and regurgitation within the same valve.
Regardless of the underlying cause or type of hemodynamic disturbance, the presence of valve disease increases the workload on the heart. Without timely specialist care, this can lead to circulatory failure and progressive damage to the heart and other organs, including the brain, liver, kidneys, and lungs.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of heart valve disease include shortness of breath, a feeling of air hunger, coughing during moderate or even minimal physical activity, shortness of breath at rest, and generalized weakness.
In advanced stages of the disease, swelling of the lower body and legs may develop.
If any of these symptoms occur, we strongly recommend consulting a cardiologist as soon as possible for comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment.
Diagnosis
The following examinations are commonly used to diagnose heart valve disease:
- Electrocardiography (ECG) at rest and during exercise
- 24-hour ECG (Holter) monitoring
- Echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound)
- Chest X-ray
- Doppler ultrasound of the vascular system
- Laboratory tests and blood analysis
Based on patient complaints, medical history, and examination results, a decision is made regarding further treatment strategy.
Treatment
Treatment of acquired heart valve disease is surgical. The most effective approach is valve repair or reconstruction. If repair is not possible, valve replacement is performed.
Artificial heart valves may be mechanical or biological. Mechanical valves are highly durable but require lifelong use of anticoagulant medication. Biological valves are made from biocompatible animal tissue and generally do not require long-term anticoagulation after surgery.
Mechanical valves have greater durability, while biological valves tend to wear out faster and may require replacement after 10–15 years, necessitating repeat surgery.
Failure to adhere to prescribed medications or healthy lifestyle recommendations after valve surgery increases the risk of infective endocarditis. In this condition, bacteria enter the bloodstream, attach to the heart valves, and cause serious infection. In such cases, repeat valve replacement surgery is often the only effective treatment.
At our clinic, special attention is given to patients with acquired heart valve disease. Timely diagnosis followed by appropriate surgical treatment allows patients to fully recover and return to an active, unrestricted life.