Current results of balloon aortic valvuloplasty in high-risk patients

Shahrzad Shareghi1, Leila Rasouli, David M Shavelle

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Good Samaritan Hospital, 1225 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90017, USA.

Insights

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) offers acceptable outcomes for severe aortic stenosis patients unsuitable for surgery. This high-risk group, including those in cardiogenic shock, showed manageable procedural safety and long-term results with BAV.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Geriatric Cardiology

Background:

  • Severe aortic stenosis (AS) poses significant risks, especially for patients ineligible for surgical valve replacement.
  • Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is an alternative for high-risk or inoperable AS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the contemporary outcomes of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in severe aortic stenosis patients deemed unsuitable for surgery.
  • To assess the safety and efficacy of BAV in a high-risk patient cohort, including those with cardiogenic shock.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 80 consecutive patients with severe symptomatic AS undergoing 104 BAV procedures.
  • Collection of demographic, hemodynamic, procedural data, operative risk (EuroSCORE), and long-term follow-up (mean 3+/-2 years).

Main Results:

  • No procedural deaths and 9% vascular complications were observed.
  • In-hospital, 1-, 2-, and 3-year mortality rates were 6%, 44%, 62%, and 71%, respectively.
  • Repeat BAV procedures (21%) showed similar long-term mortality to single procedures.

Conclusions:

  • Contemporary BAV demonstrates acceptable short- and long-term results for severe AS patients unsuitable for surgery.
  • BAV is an effective treatment option for the highest-risk patients, including those with cardiogenic shock.

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