da Vinci Surgery
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Heart Valve Disease

Heart Valves

Heart valves regulate the flow of blood through the heart's four chambers—two small, round upper chambers (atria) and two larger, cone-shaped lower chambers (ventricles). Each ventricle has a one-way inlet valve and a one-way outlet valve. In the right ventricle, the inlet valve is the tricuspid valve, which opens from the right atrium, and the outlet valve is the pulmonary (pulmonic) valve, which opens into the pulmonary arteries. In the left ventricle, the inlet valve is the mitral valve, which opens from the left atrium, and the outlet valve is the aortic valve, which opens into the aorta. Each valve consists of flaps (cusps or leaflets), which open and close like one-way swinging doors.

Heart Valve Disorders

Heart valves don't always work as they should. A person can be born with an abnormal heart valve, a type of congenital heart defect. Also, a valve can become damaged by

  • Infections such as infective endocarditis
  • Rheumatic fever
  • Changes in valve structure in the elderly1

A defective heart valve is one that fails to fully open or close. A stenotic heart valve can't open completely, so blood is pumped through a smaller-than-normal opening. A valve also may not be able to close completely. This leads to regurgitation (blood leaking back through the valve when it should be closed).

Continue to Treatment of Heart Valve Disease

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci® System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.

  1. "Heart Valves," American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org. URL: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4598