written by Mustafa Ahmed MD and David Mcgiffin MD Mitral Valve Replacement vs Mitral Valve Repair - When should the mitral valve be repaired and when should the mitral valve be replaced? Decision making in valvular heart disease is complex. Operation may be required for mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis, or both. Mitral regurgitation is a…
The Four Valves of the Heart Explained
What Is a Heart Valve? A valve basically lets something go one way but not the other. In this case, that "something" is blood. So, the valves of the heart allow blood to go forward but not leak backwards. This is important because when the heart pumps, it pushes blood forward to the body where it…
Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation – What You Need To Know
What is Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation? Tricuspid regurgitation is leakiness of the tricuspid valve. The tricuspid valve is valve between the upper and lower chambers of the right side of the heart. Everyone has heard of the valve between the upper and lower chambers of the left side of the heart, the mitral valve. The tricuspid…
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), aka a Hole In The Heart
What is a PFO? PFO stands for Patent Foramen Ovale. A simple way to think of PFO's is as a hole in the main interior walls of the heart. In the image below, you can see where the hole forms a connection between the left and right atrium, aka the upper chambers of the heart.…
TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement): The New Heart Valve Replacing Open Heart Surgery
What Is A TAVR (TAVI)? TAVR is a revolutionary new heart valve treatment most commonly used to treat a tight aortic valve, otherwise known as aortic stenosis,. TAVR stands for ‘transcatheter aortic valve replacement’, it is also commonly referred to as TAVI, which stands for ‘transcatheter aortic valve implantation’. TAVR and TAVI are the same thing.…
The MitraClip – Treatment for a Leaky Heart Valve
The Mitraclip procedure for mitral regurgitation is performed on a leaky mitral valve. This article presents a broad overview of the procedure and the people who need it. For a detailed overview of the MitraClip procedure itself, please see our article How to do the MitraClip Procedure – A Complete Guide. A leaking mitral valve can…
Mitral Regurgitation
Mitral Regurgitation is basically a leaky mitral valve. It’s also known as mitral valve regurgitation, mitral insufficiency or just MR for short. Look at the image of the mitral valve below. The mitral valve separates the top and bottom of the left side of the heart (the main pumping chamber). Usually, the mitral valve stops…
Bicuspid Aortic Valve – All You Need To Know
A comprehensive yet easy to understand synopsis of the bicuspid aortic valve. Covers symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and tips for patients and physicians alike.
Mitral Annular Calcification
Mitral Annular Calcification is a complex process that occurs in the heart. This article, written by a cardiologist, explains Mitral Annular Calcification, how it’s diagnosed, treatments, risk factors, and common complications associated with the condition.
Aortic Sclerosis – Is it Dangerous?
Aortic sclerosis is a condition whereby the aortic valve becomes thickened but does not significantly obstruct flow, unlike aortic stenosis, which does. This article outlines the dangers associated with aortic sclerosis, risk factors, treatments, and whether you should request to have an echocardiogram.
