Development of aortic valve implantation

Aortic valve stenosis is an important public-health problem in Europe and is predicted to increase with the aging population. Management of severe symptomatic aortic stenosis is by surgical replacement of the aortic valve whenever feasible. Improvement in the perioperative management has permitted surgical intervention in high-risk patients. However, patients refused surgery can now be managed by transcatheter techniques. These have opened new horizons for patients for whom conventional surgery is contraindicated or the technical complexity of the procedure is associated with considerable operative risk. The development of transcatheter aortic valve implantation, available technology, choice of approach, and future perspectives are discussed.