Alpert J S, Dalen J E
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Medical School, Worcester.
Z Kardiol. 1987;76 Suppl 6:81-4.
The epidemiology, natural history, diagnostic evaluation and therapy of patients with valvular heart disease have changed during the last 25 years in developed countries. The incidence of rheumatic heart disease has declined, while degenerative forms of valvular heart disease have become more common; arteriosclerotic heart disease commonly complicates valvular disease. A variety of non-invasive techniques demonstrate with considerable accuracy the presence and severity of valvular lesions. Both medical and surgical therapy for valvular heart disease have improved; the prognosis for these patients is far better today than it was 25 years ago.
在过去25年里，发达国家心脏瓣膜病患者的流行病学、自然病史、诊断评估及治疗都发生了变化。风湿性心脏病的发病率已下降，而退行性心脏瓣膜病形式则更为常见；动脉硬化性心脏病常使瓣膜病复杂化。多种非侵入性技术能相当准确地显示瓣膜病变的存在及严重程度。心脏瓣膜病的药物治疗和手术治疗均有改善；如今这些患者的预后比25年前要好得多。
