Course Objectives

 

The goal of this CME activity is to improve patient care by:

• Reviewing natural histories of patients with common isolated, pure valvular lesions.

• Discussing and reviewing predictors of outcomes with and without surgery for common valve lesions

• Presenting and evaluating currently-accepted criteria for surgical intervention.

• Presenting and evaluating currently approved criteria for use of percutaneously inserted prostheses and/or valve repair techniques

• Discussing evolving concepts of pharmacological therapy in patients with valvular lesions.

• Discussing and reviewing current standards for echocardiographic evaluation of valvular diseases, including technical problems and their solutions.