6th May 2025

Acute and chronic valve disease

Valve disease can also be classified as acute or chronic. Acute valve disease, such as the aortic regurgitation (AR) seen in infective endocarditis, can present with significant haemodynamic instability, while chronic valve disease of similar severity may not cause such significant decompensation. This is due to the ability of the heart to adapt to changes in haemodynamic circumstances over time, but without time for this gradual adaptation diastolic filling pressures can increase significantly leading to pulmonary oedema and respiratory failure. As such, acute severe valve disease may be a surgical emergency, whereas chronic severe valve disease may allow for an elective outpatient approach to valve intervention.