51 - Cardiac Valve Dysfunction Flashcards
(37 cards)


Proportion of heartbeat that is systole and is diastole
~1/3 is systole, ~2/3 is diastole (diastole is longer)
Effect of valve stenosis 1) 2) 3)
1) Valve doesn’t open fully, restricting flow. 2) Higher pressure in chamber behind valve (EG: LV in aortic stenosis, LA in bicuspid stenosis) 3) Pressure overload
Valve incompetence
Valve leaking/regurgitation. Where valve doesn’t close properly, causing leak of blood back.
Effect of valve incompetence
Heart required to increase stroke volume to maintain forward cardiac output. Increased volume in ventricle increased EDV. This increases ejection fraction and preload.
What used to be most common cause of valve disease?
Rheumatic fever
Current most common cause of valve disease
Degenerative conditions
When do valve lesions become symptomatic
When they are quite severe. Mild and moderate lesions are asymptomatic
When do symptoms develop in valve regurgitation?
Late stage. Occur when irreversible LV changes occur (ventricular enlargement, decompensation).
When do symptoms present in aortic stenosis?
Before permanent LV changes
How is valvular heart disease assessed? 1) 2) 3) 4)
1) History (especially shortness of breath, which presents in late stage, is poo prognosis) 2) Examination (murmur, pulse) 3) ECG 4) Echocardiography (most important test)
Types of prosthetic valves 1) 2) 3) 4)
1) Mechanical valve 2) Bioprosthetic valve 3) Repaired mitral valve 4) Stent aortic valve
Procedure than can fix a stenosed valve
Balloon valvotomy (insert balloon catheter into valve, inflate to break up stenosis).
Normal aortic valve area
2.5cm^2
Severe aortic stenosis valve area
Under 0.7cm^2
Normal pressure gradient across aortic valve
0mmHg
Severe pressure gradient across a stenosed aortic valve
Over 50mmHg
*Appearance of a Wigger’s diagram of a stenosed aortic valve

Note exaggerated LV systolic pressure

Left ventricular response to aortic stenosis 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
1) Concentric hypertrophy from pressure overload 2) Less compliant walls, as thicker 3) Diastolic dysfunction 4) Increased LVEDP required to fill LV 5) Atrial contraction becomes important to fill LV
LV response to surgery for aortic stenosis
Often returns from concentrically-hypertrophied to normal
What causes systolic murmurs?
Problems with either aortic or pulmonary valve
Murmur sound of aortic stenosis
Crescendo-decrescendo. Pressure gradient rises and falls quickly during systole.
Effects of aortic regurgitation 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
1) To maintain normal cardiac output, LV needs to pump greater volume with each beat 2) Volume overload 3) Increased end diastolic volume 4) Increased ejection fraction 5) Normal end systolic volume
*How does a Wigger diagram of aortic regurgitation appear?

Exaggerated LV systolic pressure and aortic pressure


