[Surgical strategies for aortic valve disease in elderly patients]

Population of elderly people is increasing and aortic valve disease due to degeneration with aging process, especially aortic stenosis (AS) is increasing in elderly patients. With development and great use of non-invasive diagnostic techniques, particularly echocardiography, the diagnosis and evaluation of aortic valve disease are even safer in these patients. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is effective treatment for symptomatic AS, however, generally has a higher risk in elderly patients, especially 80 years and over patients. Several reports demonstrated acceptable operative mortality and morbidity in elderly patients. We performed AVR or AVR with other cardiac surgical procedures in 16 cases of 80 years and over patients from 1998 to 2004, and there were no operative or hospital death. Therefore, AVR in 80 years and over patients could be acceptable surgical treatment and age alone is not contraindication.