High-risk patients with aortic valve stenosis. Interventional therapy

Aortic valve stenosis is the most prevalent, clinically significant valvular disorder in adult patients. Surgical valve replacement is the standard therapy for patients with symptomatic and severe aortic stenosis; however, many patients are suboptimal candidates for surgery due to age and co-morbidities. The development of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has broadened the therapeutic options, especially in high-risk patients. The first randomized study comparing surgical valve replacement with TAVI in operable high-risk patients show similar mortality and reduction in symptoms after a 2-year follow-up. These data support the use of this technique in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis.