Valvular heart disease: a review for nurse anesthetists.

Those who do not regularly participate in cardiac surgery are often anxious when faced with the patient with valvular dysfunction. The need for periodic review by anesthetists is critical for quality patient care. A review of the physiology and anesthetic management of aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis, aortic insufficiency, mitral regurgitation, and mitral valve prolapse is presented.