Mitral valve, Aortic valve (None)

The mitral valve is a two-leaflet valve separating the left atrium and left ventricle, responsible for one-way blood flow from the atrium to the ventricle; the aortic valve is a three-cusped valve at the exit of the left ventricle into the aorta, ensuring blood leaves the heart with no backflow. Both are critical, multicellular structures of the heart composed of fibrous connective tissue, endothelial cells, and other cellular components. Their integrity is required for effective cardiac output and prevention of heart failure, and their dysfunction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide[1][2][3][4][5][6][7].

Other names

Bicuspid valveLeft atrioventricular valve

Not applicable at the molecular target level. Drugs given in valvular heart disease act via indirect mechanisms (e.g., lowering blood pressure, reducing preload/afterload, preventing thromboembolism)