Clinical meaning
Valvular Disease involves specific alterations in valvular disease physiology. The pathophysiology of Valvular Disease encompasses changes in myocardial contractility, cardiac conduction, vascular resistance, endothelial function, or structural integrity depending on the primary mechanism involved. Key cellular processes include ion channel dysfunction, inflammatory mediator activation, oxidative stress, fibrotic remodeling, and neurohormonal dysregulation that drive the clinical manifestations of valvular disease.
Diagnosis & workup
Diagnostics & workup: - Holter or event monitor for intermittent arrhythmia detection - Troponin I or T serial measurements (0h, 3h, 6h) for myocardial injury - Ankle-brachial index for peripheral vascular disease screening - CRP and ESR for inflammatory/infectious cardiac conditions - CT angiography of chest for aortic or pulmonary vascular pathology - Echocardiography: EF, wall motion, valvular function, chamber dimensions - BNP >100 pg/mL or NT-proBNP >300 pg/mL for volume overload assessment