Guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease (version 2012) were developed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). The guidelines aim to assist physicians in selecting the best management strategies for patients with valvular heart disease (VHD), considering the impact on outcomes and the risk-benefit ratio of diagnostic and therapeutic options. These guidelines are not substitutes for textbooks but complement them, covering ESC Core Curriculum topics. They emphasize the importance of clinical decision-making, risk stratification, and the integration of the latest research and educational tools. The guidelines focus on acquired VHD and do not address endocarditis or congenital valve disease. They provide recommendations for the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of various valvular conditions, including aortic regurgitation, aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation, and tricuspid stenosis. The guidelines also cover the management of prosthetic valves, combined valve diseases, and the use of antithrombotic therapy. The evaluation of patients with VHD involves clinical assessment, echocardiography, and other non-invasive investigations such as stress testing, cardiac magnetic resonance, computed tomography, fluoroscopy, and radionuclide angiography. Invasive investigations, including coronary angiography and cardiac catheterization, are used when necessary. The assessment of comorbidities is also an important part of the evaluation process. The guidelines emphasize the importance of risk stratification, the use of appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and the management of associated conditions such as coronary artery disease and arrhythmias. The decision to intervene is based on the comparative assessment of the spontaneous prognosis and the results of intervention, considering the characteristics of VHD and comorbidities. The guidelines also address the management of VHD during non-cardiac surgery and pregnancy, as well as the importance of implementing the guidelines in clinical practice through education and implementation programs. The final document is approved by the ESC and EACTS and is published in the European Heart Journal and the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. The guidelines are intended to be used in conjunction with clinical judgment and patient preferences, ensuring that individualized care is provided.Guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease (version 2012) were developed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). The guidelines aim to assist physicians in selecting the best management strategies for patients with valvular heart disease (VHD), considering the impact on outcomes and the risk-benefit ratio of diagnostic and therapeutic options. These guidelines are not substitutes for textbooks but complement them, covering ESC Core Curriculum topics. They emphasize the importance of clinical decision-making, risk stratification, and the integration of the latest research and educational tools. The guidelines focus on acquired VHD and do not address endocarditis or congenital valve disease. They provide recommendations for the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of various valvular conditions, including aortic regurgitation, aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation, and tricuspid stenosis. The guidelines also cover the management of prosthetic valves, combined valve diseases, and the use of antithrombotic therapy. The evaluation of patients with VHD involves clinical assessment, echocardiography, and other non-invasive investigations such as stress testing, cardiac magnetic resonance, computed tomography, fluoroscopy, and radionuclide angiography. Invasive investigations, including coronary angiography and cardiac catheterization, are used when necessary. The assessment of comorbidities is also an important part of the evaluation process. The guidelines emphasize the importance of risk stratification, the use of appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and the management of associated conditions such as coronary artery disease and arrhythmias. The decision to intervene is based on the comparative assessment of the spontaneous prognosis and the results of intervention, considering the characteristics of VHD and comorbidities. The guidelines also address the management of VHD during non-cardiac surgery and pregnancy, as well as the importance of implementing the guidelines in clinical practice through education and implementation programs. The final document is approved by the ESC and EACTS and is published in the European Heart Journal and the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. The guidelines are intended to be used in conjunction with clinical judgment and patient preferences, ensuring that individualized care is provided.