Calcific valve disease



OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

Calcific valvulopathy is a geriatric disease caused by aging, degeneration and calcium deposition of valves that increases with age, and is also known as senile degenerative valvulopathy or senile cardiac calcification syndrome. The progression of the disease is slow, but with the aggravation of the lesion, the scope of myocardial involvement gradually expands, which can cause valve stenosis and closure insufficiency. It is mainly seen in people over 60 years old and is associated with abnormal carbohydrate metabolism, vertebral decalcification, and valve degeneration.

Whether medical insurance

Yes

Department

Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiac Surgery

Alias

Degenerative Valve Disease in the Elderly, Cardiac Calcification Syndrome in the Elderly

Clinical symptoms

Palpitations, dyspnea, cough, angina pectoris, syncope, etc.

Hazards

May lead to heart failure and even life-threatening.

Complications

Arrhythmia, heart failure, etc.

Tests

Blood routine, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, X-ray film, cardiac catheterization, CT, etc.

Diagnosis

Middle-aged or elderly people with symptoms such as palpitations, dyspnea, cough, etc. Combined with the results of echocardiography and electrocardiogram, the diagnosis can be made.

Treatment principle

Control risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, blood sugar, etc., and symptomatic treatment of arrhythmia and heart failure, etc.

Curability

Currently, there is no effective method to halt the progression of the disease. However, treatment can relieve symptoms and improve prognosis.

Dietary recommendations

Low-salt, low-fat diet, more fiber-rich, easy-to-digest, light diet, small meals, should not be overfilled.

Etiology

Causes

Bone decalcification, ectopic deposition in the valve or valve ring. ② Abnormal carbohydrate metabolism. ②Abnormal carbohydrate metabolism. ③Degenerative changes of the valve with age. ①Sex factor. 50% to 60% of elderly people with calcific valve disease are women. ⑤Increased pressure on the valve.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Typical Symptoms

1. Abnormal aortic valve function (1) Symptoms: Common symptoms include palpitations, and some patients have angina pectoris, which is caused by the involvement of the aortic sinus, affecting coronary blood flow. (2) Signs: the heart enlarges to the lower left, and a rough systolic murmur or a soft diastolic murmur can be heard in the aortic valve auscultation area.2. Mitral valve dysfunction (1) Symptoms: there is no symptom in the early stage, and there can be manifestation of heart failure in the late stage. (2) Signs: the murmur may not be obvious, when the mitral valve closure insufficiency is severe, a full systolic murmur can be heard, most obvious in the apical region, and conducted to the left axilla and apical part of the heart.

Diagnostic basis

1. It is more common in elderly patients. 2. Risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus are present. 3. Echocardiography and cardiac catheterization can assist in the diagnosis. 4.

Treatment

Treatment guidelines

Control risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, blood sugar, etc., and treat arrhythmias and heart failure.

Medications

Diuretics, vasodilators, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers to improve cardiac function.

Surgery

Surgery if necessary.

Prognosis

Atrial fibrillation and heart failure are common complications of this disease with a poor prognosis. Once heart failure occurs in aortic stenosis, cardiac output decreases, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction becomes more pronounced, and increased afterload further reduces left ventricular function and worsens heart failure. Therefore, once heart failure occurs in patients with aortic stenosis, the clinical picture deteriorates dramatically and the rate of sudden death is high (5% to 34%). The average life expectancy of people with aortic stenosis is 4 years after the onset of symptoms. Symptomatic patients have a worse prognosis than asymptomatic patients because syncope occurs at 3 years and heart failure at only 2 years. The prognosis can be improved with treatment.

Nursing care

Daily care

1. Appropriate exercise, weight reduction for obese people. 2. Prevention of respiratory infections. 3. Attention to personal hygiene. 4.

Diet regulation

1. Eat small and frequent meals, should not be overfilled. 2. Eat more fiber-rich, easy to digest, light diet. 3. Eat less high cholesterol, high calorie, high fat food. 4. Prohibit fried, spicy and other stimulating foods. 5. Avoid smoking and alcohol.