Valvular heart disease
AS AR MR MS TR
Pulse Slow rising Collapsing, large volume - AF -
JVP - - - - ↑, large V waves
Apex Not displaced, Pressure overloaded Displaced, Volume overloaded Displaced, volume overloaded Tapping -
Heart sounds Soft S2 - Soft S1 Loud S1 -
Auscultation ESM rad carotids EDM at left sternal edge PSM rad axilla MDM, ?opening snap PSM left sternal edge, louder inpiration
BP Narrow pulse pressure Wide pulse pressure - - -
Other - Corrigan's, duroziez etc - Malar flush
Valvotomy scar
Pul hypertension
Pulsatile hepatomegaly
Causes Bicuspid valve
Senile calcification
Rheumatic
IE
Ank Spon
Rheumatic
Marfan’s
Syphilis
Prolapse
Conn tissue
IE
Rheumatic
Rheumatic Pul hypertension
RV dilation
Incidental findings Stigmata IE, Conn tissue disease
+ve signs As above
Differential diagnosis As above
Function Dominant lesion, Pulmonary hypertension, L/R heart failure
Tests CXR, ECG, Echo, ±ETT, ±Angio
Extensions
AR: Look for IE, Marfan’s, Ankylosing spondylitis, Argyll-Robertson pupils
Notes

  • AS: Valve replacement indicated if symptoms or when gradient > 50mmHg, valve area < 0.6
  • AS: Beta blockers slow rate of rise of systolic pressure, avoid vasodilators, ACE inhibitors
  • AS: Impossible to have mod/severe with normal S2
  • Austin flint mid diastolic murmur occurs in severe AR due to regurgitant jet interfering with mitral valve
  • AR: Surgery when either (i) EF<50% (ii) decreased exercise capacity (iii) LV end systolic 55mm (iv) aortic root 50mm
  • AR: Long term nifedipine reduces/delays the need for valve replacement in asymptomatic patients with severe AR, not recommended for mild AR as good outcome with no therapy
  • Acute MR due to papillary rupture in MI, endocarditis
  • MR Indications surgery: Either (i) mod/severe symptoms despite medical therapy or (ii) EF<60% / LV end systolic dimension >45mm in absence of symptoms
  • MS: normal valve area 4-6 cm2 tight stenosis < 1
  • MS indications intervention: symptoms / pul oedema / haemoptysis / pul hypertension
  • MS indications percutaneous valvotomy: mobile valve, not calcified on TOE
  • Graham steele: EDM of pulmonary regurg with pulmonary hypertension
  • Tissue aortic valve can have just loud S2
  • Metallic S1 = mech mitral, S2 = mech aortic, both = either double valve or ball and cage