<unk>  commonly refers to the excess deposition of extracellular matrix in the<unk>  muscle, but the term may also refer to an abnormal thickening of the heart valves due to inappropriate proliferation of<unk>  fibroblasts. Fibrotic<unk>  muscle is stiffer and less compliant and is seen in the progression to heart failure. The description below focuses on a specific mechanism of valvular pathology but there are other causes of valve pathology and<unk>  of the<unk>  muscle. Fibrocyte cells normally secrete collagen, and function to provide structural support for the heart. When over-activated this process causes thickening and<unk>  of the valve, with white tissue building up primarily on the tricuspid valve, but also occurring on the pulmonary valve. The thickening and loss of flexibility eventually may lead to valvular dysfunction and right-sided heart failure.
Cardiac fibrosis
Myocardial scarring
Ventricular remodeling
Myocardial stunning
Myocardial disarray
Ventricular hypertrophy
Cardiomyocyte proliferation
Sinus node dysfunction