Today many more patients' heart valve abnormalities are treated successfully with valve repairs, which offer far fewer complications and risks.

Learn more about:

• Heart Valves and Heart Valve Diseases
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Shands at UF Difference

About the Aorta and Aortic Diseases

The heart valves lie at the exit of each of the four heart chambers and maintain one-way blood flow through the heart, ensuring that blood always flows freely in a forward direction and that there is no backward leakage.

The four heart valves are:

• the mitral valve
• the aortic valve
• the tricuspid valve
• the pulmonary valve

When the valves do not open and close correctly, blood flow through the heart is disrupted.

Malformation of the heart valves can be divided into three categories:

• narrowing of the valves (stenosis)
• leaking of the valves (regurgitation)
• a combination of both

Endocarditis can occur when germs, especially bacteria, enter the bloodstream and attack the heart valves, causing growths, holes and scarring that can lead to leaky valves.

The germs that cause endocarditis enter the blood during dental procedures, surgery, IV drug use, or with severe infections. People with valve disease are at increased risk for developing this life-threatening infection.

Diagnosis

The sounds the heart makes as the heart valves open and close provide the first clues to a problem. A murmur is a swishing sound made by blood flowing through a stenotic or leaky valve. Your doctor can also tell if your heart is enlarged or if your heart rhythm is irregular.

If a problem is suspected, echocardiography and cardiac catheterization may be in order.

Treatment

Treatment for heart valve disease depends on the type and severity of the diagnosis. In some cases, monitoring is all that is needed, while in others, medications can control the symptoms and slow or halt the progression of the disease.

More serious cases require surgery to repair or replace defective valves. Examples of these cases include:

• Valve regurgitation
• Valve stenosis

Valve Regurgitation

• The most common reason for surgery is mitral valve regurgitation, or leakage. This condition can result in an enlarged atrium and sluggish blood flow that in turn can cause blood clots and stroke.
• Aortic regurgitation can also be treated with recently developed techniques.
• Regurgitation can be corrected by repairing the abnormal valve flap, known as a leaflet, or repairing or replacing the supporting valve structures, allowing the valve to close tightly. A prosthetic ring may also be inserted to reshape a deformed valve.

Valve stenosis

• By surgically separating or shaving back valve leaflets, called commissurotomy, cardiovascular surgeons can eliminate stenosis and improve blood flow. Replacement may be required for these valves.

Learn more about valve surgeries from our Shands HealthCare podcasts, featuring UF surgeons:

• Dr. Charles Klodell discusses mitral valve repair
• Dr. Curt Tribble discusses aortic valve recovery

The Shands at UF Difference

UF Cardiovascular surgeons at Shands at UF have traveled abroad to learn the latest surgical techniques, including minimally invasive procedures, bi-leaflet repairs and aortic valve sparing root replacements.

Shands at UF is ideally suited at the forefront of repairing leaky valves. Patients experience initial visits with UF cardiologists who are extremely versed with echocardiography and imaging needed to plan the repair these valves.

Diagnosis and treatment continues with a team of anesthesiologists, perfusionists, operating staff and highly specialized surgeons trained in minimally invasive valve surgery.

Information

For more information about Shands at UF Heart Care or to schedule a new patient appointment, please call 800.749.7424 or 352.265.0943.

Heart Care at Shands at UF

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About Your Heart

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About Heart Care at Shands at UF

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Make an Appointment

To make a new patient appointment or find out more information about heart care services offered at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 352.265.0943 .

You may also email our Consultation Center (consult@shands.ufl.edu) or use our secure online form.