[Valvular defects in advanced age].

Based on many years experience with the diagnosis and treatment of valvular defects in advanced age the authors present a review of the problem with emphasis on non-rheumatic degenerative damage of the cardiac valves and valvular apparatus. They draw attention to the reliability of non-invasive examination methods and prefer their routine use in cardiological geriatric practice. As regards therapeutic procedures, they draw attention to more progressive methods of treatment of valvular defects in old age such as percutaneous, transluminal balloon valvuloplasty of the aortic valve, open valvuloplasty of the mitral valve and replacement of damaged valves by prostheses, in particular biological ones. Finally the authors stress the importance of investigations of the pathology and clinical aspects of valvular diseases in old age as one of the ways of careful preparation for better health care of old people in future.