Valve Heart Disease

First Things First (assess & treat for the following)

• What type of lesion is it? The pathophysiology and natural history of valvular heart disease is primarily determined by the type of loading condition of pressure overload vs. volume overload.
• Consider the consequences of a valve lesion on following determinants of myocardial performance:
  • Ventricular compliance and preload
  • Heart rate and rhythm
  • Afterload
  • LV and RV systolic function
• Myocardial oxygen consumption for mechanical work is greater for pressure work ( isovolumic contraction) than volume work (ejection).