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Technique and Patient Selection Criteria of Right Anterior Mini-Thoracotomy for Minimal Access Aortic Valve Replacement
Published on: March 26, 2018
Aortic valve replacement in elderly patients: what are the limits?
Lawrence H Cohn1, Narendren Narayanasamy
1Division of Cardiac Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. lcohn@partners.org
Elderly patients with aortic stenosis can safely undergo aortic valve replacement. Minimally invasive and percutaneous approaches, including hybrid strategies, offer promising treatment options for this growing population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Aging populations worldwide are experiencing increased longevity.
- Aortic stenosis is a common valvular heart disease in the elderly.
- Comorbidities in older adults present unique challenges for aortic valve replacement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current aortic valve replacement modalities for elderly patients.
- To address the risks associated with multiple comorbidities in this demographic.
- To explore innovative surgical and interventional approaches.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on aortic valve replacement techniques.
- Analysis of outcomes in octogenarian patients.
- Evaluation of minimally invasive, percutaneous, and hybrid strategies.
- Assessment of bioprosthetic tissue valves for interventions.
Main Results:
- Aortic valve replacement is safe in octogenarians with low risk.
- Early surgical intervention yields good short- and medium-term results.
- Minimally invasive surgery and percutaneous aortic valve implantation show promise.
- Hybrid approaches for concomitant coronary artery disease are effective.
- Bioprosthetic tissue valves are preferred for these procedures.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac surgery for aortic stenosis is increasingly utilized in the elderly.
- Minimally invasive and percutaneous techniques are advancing treatment options.
- Hybrid strategies represent a potential future mainstay for aortic valve replacement in older adults.
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