Worldwide the incidence and burden of heart valve disease is increasing due to aging of the world population and the problem of rheumatic cardiac disease in developing countries and in parts of the population in the developed world.1 Between 2007 and 2050 the world population will increase from 6.5 to 9.1 billion inhabitants.1 Furthermore, the annual number of patients requiring heart valve replacement is estimated to triple from approximately 290,000 in 2003, to over 850,000 by 2050.2 In the Netherlands cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. According to the annual report of the Dutch Heart Association, 308.828 patients required admission due to cardiovascular disease in the Netherlands in 2004 of which 7286 patients were admitted due to rheumatic heart disease or valve disease (2.4%). Subsequently, 1449 patients died of heart valve disease (3.2%).3 Furthermore, approximately 3000 patients require valve replacement due to aortic valve disease per year in the Netherlands.

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Bogers, Prof. Dr. A.J.J.C. (promotor) Netherlands Heart Foundation, Bis Foundation, Edwards Life Sciences BV, Sorin Group Nederland BV, St. Jude Medical Nederland BV
A.J.J.C. Bogers (Ad)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
hdl.handle.net/1765/10778
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Klieverik, L. M. A. (2007, December 12). Aortic Valve Replacement in Young Adults. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/10778