This book serves as the "go-to" resource for cardiovascular nurses and other health care practitioners involved in the care of patients with acquired valvular heart disease. It includes unique information about heart valve anatomy and pathophysiology, the complexity of clinical presentations and diagnostic evaluation, patient education and shared decision-making, surgical and transcatheter treatment options, and transition to palliative care. The content focuses primarily on the specialized care of patients with aortic stenosis and regurgitation, and mitral and tricuspid regurgitation.

In addition, this unique resource provides timely information to guide a patient-centred and team-driven approach that reflects contemporary and innovative practice in the management of valvular heart disease. The essential topics of strengthening the multidisciplinary Heart Team and programmatic processes of care, the priorities for nursing care, and the multifactorial challenges of managing this complex patient population are explored in detail. Importantly, this resource aims to support all clinicians who are involved in the various timepoints of patients' full trajectory of care, from their evaluation pathway, admissions for treatment, and long term follow-up. 
Clinicians require contemporary knowledge and evidence to guide their practice, provide appropriate care for this complex patient population, and contribute to the advancement of practice. To date, there has been little emphasis placed on the management of valvular heart disease in cardiovascular nursing and allied health curriculum. This book fills this gap and addresses the pressing need for a user-friendly resource to guide the care for this growing population in a rapidly changing clinical environment. 

The editors are international leaders in the care and management of patients with acquired valvular heart disease and program development. They are widely recognizedfor their pioneering role in shaping the way we care for these patients. 

Chapter 1: Introduction and Objectives.- Section 1: Understanding Valvular Heart Disease.- Chapter 2: Overview of Patient Population.- Chapter 3: Pathophysiology of Valvular Heart Disease.- Section 2: Valvular Heart Disease Program Structure.- Chapter 4: The Multidisciplinary Heart Team Approach.- Chapter 5:Processes of Care for Valvular Heart Disease Programs.- Section 3: Assessing Valvular Heart Disease.- Chapter 6: Clinical Assessment.- Chapter 7: Imaging Modalities.- Chapter 8: Understanding Function, Frailty and Self-Reported Health Status.- Chapter 9: Making a High Quality Treatment Decision: Shared Decision-Making.- Section 4: Treatment Options for Valvular Heart Disease and Implications for Nursing.- Chapter 10: Surgical Treatment.- Chapter 11: Transcatheter Treatment.- Section 5: Nursing Care Priorities Valvular Heart Disease.- Chapter 12: Safe Recovery after Valvular Heart Surgery.- Chapter 13: Safe Recovery after Transcatheter Heart Valve Procedures.- Chapter 14:Transitions of Care and Long Term Follow-Up after Heart Valve Surgery and Transcatheter Procedures.- Chapter 15: Conclusion: The Next Decade of Treating Valvular Heart Disease - An Opportunity for Nursing Leadership.