Structural Heart Disease

Structural heart disease is a term for a variety of conditions that affect the heart's structure, including the valves, chambers, walls, muscles, or major arteries. These conditions can make it difficult for the heart to pump blood properly, which can lead to serious heart problems.

Structural heart disease can be present from birth (congenital) or develop later in life (acquired). Aortic stenosis is a common type of valvular heart disease that restricts the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.

Studies have shown that medical therapy is ineffective in slowing down the progression of aortic stenosis. Aortic valve replacement is the treatment recommended for those with symptomatic aortic stenosis. Without a valve replacement, patients with severe aortic stenosis have a mortality rate of as high as 50% within the first year. Increasing awareness of best practices and guideline-directed treatment is of utmost importance for nurses caring for patients with valvular disease.