Dr Rose honoured me with a request for a Foreword. I am delighted to
oblige. The treatment of valvular heart disease has improved remarkably
in the past 40 years. Many factors have contributed; not least being the
introduction of artificial heart valves for treatment, more than 25
years ago. Their use has shown that they are good, but not an ideal
substitute for native valves. A galaxy of pathological changes are
associated with the insertion and malfunction of artificial heart
valves. Each has to be defined, classified and related to clinical
procedures or problems with a prosthesis; then a means sought to prevent
them. Often, in understanding their cause, investigative procedures
have/will improve patient care and broaden knowledge in other spheres.
Dr Rose has been a student of this pathology for many years and has made
many contributions. No doubt his interest in the area was whetted by
colleagues in Cape Town, leaders in the field of cardiovascular medicine
and surgery. This monograph provides a collected review of his
experience. In it one finds lessons in geographic pathology, in
considering the causes of valvular heart disease in Cape Town and
valuable information regarding the identification of artificial heart
valves and a means of examining a heart bearing one.
