FOCUS on Valvular Intervention in Management of Heart Failure

Valvular dysfunction is prevalent in many heart failure situations. Often, the dysfunction is the main aetiological factor and, very often, an aggravating finding in the vicious heart failure cycle. Traditionally mitral, aortic, and tricuspid surgical interventions are applied to heart failure patients. However, in the last two decades, percutaneous approaches to valve repair and replacement have taken a prominent, albeit sometimes controversial role in treating these patients, especially, but not only, in high surgical risk cases. Carefully selected patients have a prognostic advantage when treated percutaneously.