CELL BIOLOGY OF DEGENERATIVE (MYXOMATOUS) MITRAL VALVE DISEASE: IS THIS DISEASE INEVITABLE?

摘要

Valvular heart disease in humans accounts for 20,000 deaths and over 90,000 hospitalizations at a cost of over $9 billion annually. Degenerative (age-related) disease of the mitral and aortic valve accounts for approximately 75% of valvular heart disease in humans. Degenerative (myxomatous) mitral valve disease (DMVD) is the most important heart disease in dogs accounting for approximately 75% of heart disease in this species.