The heart has four valves: the pulmonic valve, the mitral valve, the aortic valve and the tricuspid valve. Each of the four valves has its own set of flaps. These flaps swing open in order to let blood flow from one area to the next one, and then it close again until the next cycle begins. Therefore, blood is meant to flow smoothly in only one direction and only when the valves are open.

Oxygen-rich blood returns to the left side of the heart from the lungs, through the pulmonary veins, and drains into the left atrium. From the left atrium, it goes through the mitral valve and into the left ventricle. There, it is pumped through the aortic valve and out the aorta to nourish the rest of the body. Oxygen-poor blood returns to the right side of the heart from the rest of the body -through the veins- and enters the right atrium. Then, it passes through the tricuspid valve and into the right ventricle. From here, it is pumped through the pulmonic valve and into the pulmonary artery, which carries the blood to the lungs for more oxygen.

There exists two types of surgery in order to correct a defective heart valve. Heart valve repair (which is intended to correct the defective valve), and heart valve replacement (which takes place when the defective valve cannot be repaired and it has be replaced with either a biological or a mechanical valve).

The types of valvular heart disease that often require some heart valve procedure are stenosis (narrowed valves that limit the flow of blood) or regurgitation (improperly closing valves that allow blood to leak back in the wrong direction). About 95,000 patients underwent a heart valve repair or replacement procedure in 2003.

Sometimes, other surgeries may be necessary to treat certain forms of valvular heart disease; sucu as valvular atresia or when a valve is totally closed at birth.

Note: The information offered in this Web site is directed to support and not to replace the relation between you and your doctor.

Last Update: 19/01/2007