Novel approaches to cardiac valve repair: from structure to function: Part II.

In Part I of this article, several aspects of valve structure and function and their possible clinical relevance were discussed. We now review the clinical evolution and application for various forms of valve repair and outline some of the factors relating to the timing and choice of particular types of repair or replacement and, whenever appropriate, repair versus replacement. In addition, future prospects of valve repair based on understanding of the sophisticated function and structure of valves and the possible future contribution of tissue engineering are discussed.