Aortic Valvuloplasty — A Valid Alternative?

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Abstract
The introduction of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty for the treatment of aortic stenosis has complicated decision making concerning elderly patients with this degenerative cardiac disease. Physicians have been reluctant to refer many elderly patients with aortic stenosis to cardiac surgery because other medical problems, associated coronary disease, or the frailty of the patient seemed to make the operative risk prohibitive. With the introduction of balloon aortic valvuloplasty,1 2 3 there is now a therapeutic alternative to conservative medical therapy or cardiac surgery. Valvuloplasty has been recommended instead of surgical replacement of the valve in patients who are elderly or at high risk. . . .