[Assessment and Acute Management of Decompensated Heart Valves in the Intensive Care Unit - a Current Review].

The acute valvular dysfunction is a rapidly growing and critical condition in the intensive care unit with a cardiogenic shock as the most serious clinical entity. There are clearly defined guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure and for stable patients with valvular heart disease. However, data regarding acutely valvular decompensated patients are currently limited. In case of secondary organ dysfunction despite optimal medical treatment, various percutaneous interventional procedures such as TAVI and MitraClip are now available besides surgical valvular repair. Moreover, balloon valvuloplasty for aortic stenosis and percutaneous mechanical circulatory support devices are emerging tools for the treatment and stabilization of valvular decompensated patients in the intensive care unit.