Valve clinic

The goals of the follow-up clinic are recurrent evaluation and treatment of patients with valvular diseases. There are four valves in the heart, two between the atria and ventricles and two at the outlet of the ventricles. The function of the valves is to allow blood to flow in the chambers of the heart in one direction, during the heartbeat cycle. The diagnostic tests we perform in the clinic allow us to identity valvular diseases that cause a narrowing of the valve, leakage of the valve or a combination of both.

Some valve diseases are congenital (for example, double outlet right ventricle (DORV), while others are acquired, including: rheumatic heart disease, degenerative diseases (aortic valve calcification, mitral valve prolapse), endocarditis, connective tissue diseases (Marfan syndrome), ischemic heart disease, and more.

Advanced valvular diseases can lead to structural and functional changes in the heart – potentially resulting in a decline in overall functional capacity, heart failure, heart rhythm disorders, high blood pressure in the lungs, liver dysfunction, and edema.

The goals of valvular disease treatment:

• Determining the severity of damage to valve function and overall cardiac function.
• Determining the need and timing for intervention (surgical or in the context of catheterization).
• Tailoring treatment to slow down further disease progression.
• Preventive treatment to hinder development of valve inflammation.
• Treatment with anticoagulants, heart failure and heart rhythm disorders associated with valvular diseases.

Our clinic caters to patients with heart disease characterized by structural or functional valve impairment. These include individuals who are before or after valve repair or replacement surgery, as well as those who have received therapeutic intervention via catheterization.

Tests at the clinic are conducted by experienced doctors who specialize in interpreting echocardiography tests. These tests serve as a vital tool for the repeated evaluation of patients with valvular diseases.