Contents

#### **Preface XI**


Preface

Structural insufficiency of cardiac valves is the basic and featured cardiac pathology. Heart valves allow unidirectional and unobstructed passage of blood without regurgitation, trau‐ ma to blood elements, thromboembolism and excessive stress concentrations in the leaflet and supporting tissue. The ultrastructural histo-architecture of the valvular tissue is the ba‐ sis of mechanical properties of heart valves. New technologies for diagnosis, new research for genetic structure, new definitions for the nature of malformations and malfunctions, new classifications for pathologic types and new surgical approaches to replace dysfunctional be‐ havior will improve the survival of patients with these pathologies. This book tries to detail pathophysiology, general forms and also specific types of structural valvular insufficiencies.

**Professor Dr Kaan Kırali**

Istanbul, Turkey

Director of Kartal Koşuyolu YIEA Hospital
