AORTIC

VALVE
DYSFUN
Aortic insufficiency is caused by the defective

CTION
closure of the aortic valve which generates a
leakage (regurgitation) of blood from the aorta into
the left ventricle with each heartbeat. This blood
leakage generates an overload of volume in the
left ventricle that with time may dilate.

MECHANICAL VALVE

The main types of new valves are: Mechanical:

made of man-made materials, such as metal
(stainless steel or titanium) or ceramic. These
valves last the longest, but you will need to take
blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or
aspirin, for the rest of your life.

BIOLOGICAL VALVE

Biological valves are valves manufactured using

organic tissues, i.e. animal valves or pericardium
(cow, pig, etc.). On the other hand, mechanical
PATHOLOGIES
valves (also called OF THE valves)
metallic AORTICare
VALVE
manufactured with inorganic materials (nowadays,
generally pyrolytic carbon).
DIAGNOSTIC
 Aortic valveMETHODS
regurgitation
 Aortic stenosis
 Atresia
Electrocardiogram.
 Holter monitoring.
 Echocardiogram.
 Stress tests.
 Cardiac catheterization.
 Computed tomography of the heart (cardiac).
 Magnetic resonance imaging of the heart
(cardiac).

PANNUS