Epidemiology of valvular heart disease in the adult

Nat Rev Cardiol. 2011 Mar;8(3):162-72. doi: 10.1038/nrcardio.2010.202. Epub 2011 Jan 25.

Abstract

Valvular heart disease remains common in industrialized countries, because the decrease in prevalence of rheumatic heart diseases has been accompanied by an increase in that of degenerative valve diseases. Aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation are the two most common types of valvular disease in Europe. The prevalence of valvular disease increases sharply with age, owing to the predominance of degenerative etiologies. The burden of heart valve disease in the elderly has an important impact on patient management, given the high frequency of comorbidity and the increased risk associated with intervention in this age group. Endocarditis is an important etiology of valvular disease and is most commonly caused by Staphylococci. Rheumatic heart disease remains prevalent in developing countries.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aortic Valve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aortic Valve / pathology
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / epidemiology
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / pathology
  • Disease Progression
  • France / epidemiology
  • Global Health
  • Heart Valve Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Valve Diseases / epidemiology
  • Heart Valve Diseases / pathology
  • Humans
  • Mitral Valve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mitral Valve / pathology
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / epidemiology
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / pathology
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / blood
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain