Current medical management of valvular heart disease
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2001 October;68(10):881-887
October 1, 2001|Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
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ABSTRACT
Drug therapy plays a key role in the management of valvular heart disease, though in many cases it does not alter its course or delay the need for surgery. The importance of drug therapy lies in stabilizing the patient's condition when the disease is due to abnormal valve structure, and in treating the underlying condition when the condition is due to a functional abnormality. Drug therapy also lowers the risk of bacterial endocarditis and rheumatic fever.
