Thoughts about valvular abnormalities yesterday and today

The article deals with the problems of acquired valvular disorders. It mainly focuses on the new findings regarding ethiopathogenesis, diagnostics, evaluation and treatment, especially catheterization. In advanced countries, post-rheumatic abnormalities have almost disappeared, their current etiology has substantially changed (mitral stenosis). The earlier relatively rare degenerative changes now predominate, mainly affecting older patients (aortic stenosis). Also the treatment methods for acquired abnormalities have substantially changed - currently catheterization approaches are used more frequently in their correction.Key words: aortic regurgitation - aortic stenosis - echocardiography for valvular abnormalities - magnetic resonance abnormalities - mitral regurgitation - mitral stenosis - valve replacement.