Clinical Definition Valley fever is a pulmonary infection that develops due to inhalation of spores from the fungus Coccidioides immitis. Native to Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States, this fungus makes spores which are found in the soil of low rainfall areas. The spores become lodged in the alveoli, which leads to inflammation…
Valve Disease
Clinical Definition Valve disease, or valvular heart disease, occurs when the cardiac valves (mitral, tricuspid, aortic, pulmonic) do not function correctly, either due to valvular stenosis or valvular insufficiency. Valvular disease can be congenital or acquired. Cardiovascular imaging can evaluate the severity and type of valvular disease. Medication may help, or valvular surgery can repair…