Interpretation of cardiac pathophysiology from pressure waveform analysis: multivalvular regurgitant lesions

Multivalvular regurgitant lesions may have a common etiology, such as an underlying connective tissue disorder, Marfan's disease or cardiomyopathy. Careful collection of routine simultaneous left and right heart hemodynamics will document the individual valvular lesions. Combined echocardiography and angiographic data will further support the interpretation of the hemodynamic waveforms. Clinical decisions for valve repair or replacement will be based on the severity of associated lesions, myocardial function and other patient specific characteristics [9] indicating the acceptable limits of surgical risk.