zastawka

Zastawka, in Polish, denotes a valve—an anatomical structure that ensures one-way flow of a liquid by opening to permit passage and closing to prevent backflow. The term is most commonly used for heart valves (zastawki serca), but can refer to other biological valves that regulate fluid movement.

The heart contains four valves: mitral (zastawka mitralna) between the left atrium and left ventricle; tricuspid (zastawka trójdzielna) between the right atrium and right ventricle; aortic (zastawka aorty) from the left ventricle to the aorta; and pulmonary (zastawka płucna) from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. Each valve comprises leaflets or cusps attached to an annulus; the atrioventricular valves have chordae tendineae and papillary muscles that help prevent prolapse during contraction. Valves open and close in coordination with the cardiac cycle to maintain directed blood flow and adequate pressure.

Valvular disease can affect any valve and is typically described as stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (niedomykalność, backflow). Symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, or edema, depending on severity. Diagnosis relies mainly on echocardiography, with additional imaging and functional tests as needed.

Treatment ranges from observation and medical management to surgical repair or replacement. Prosthetic valves may be mechanical, which require lifelong anticoagulation, or bioprosthetic. In many patients, especially with aortic stenosis, transcatheter valve replacement (TAVI/TAVR) offers a less invasive alternative.