There are four valves in the heart: the aortic, the mitral, the tricuspid, and the pulmonary. Surgical treatment is required when the valves become deformed or distorted enough to cause a lot of leakage or to be severely obstructive to the flow of blood. A variety of conditions may cause those problems including infection, rheumatic fever, myxomatous degeneration of the valve tissue, and calcification of the valve tissue. Symptoms related to problems with valve function include fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, and chest pain. Evaluation of symptoms, and valve function is a complex diagnostic process done under the supervision of a cardiologist.
Surgical treatment involves either repair or replacement of the diseased valve, and requires use of the heart lung machine. Whether the valve requires replacement or can be repaired depends on the type and amount of damage that is present. When the valve is to be replaced a decision needs to be made as to the type of valve to be used. There are several options including valves constructed of tissue and valves that are entirely synthetic. There is no ideal substitute, and selection of the type of valve depends on a variety of factors.
The mitral and aortic valves are the two valves most commonly requiring surgical intervention in adults. Surgical treatment of valvular heart disease carries significant risks, and and is a major decision. It is generally riskier than the surgical treatment of coronary artery disease.