Mitral, tricuspid, and aortic valve repair or reconstruction.

The term repair is most properly applied to disease affecting the mitral and tricuspid valves or their annuli. The rationale, description, and analyses of the most recent evolution in these repair techniques are reviewed. The aortic valve cannot easily be repaired in the true sense of the word. The more proper term is sparing of the aortic valve in diseases that primarily affect the aortic root and annulus or reconstruction of the valve using pericardium in disease that primarily affects the valve. The evolution and current rationale for these techniques are also reviewed, and opinions regarding their future potential are rendered.