Pathology of the Aortic Valve: Aortic Valve Stenosis/Aortic Regurgitation

This discussion is intended to review the anatomy and pathology of the aortic valve and aortic root region, and to provide a basis for the understanding of and treatment of the important life-threatening diseases that affect the aortic valve.

The most exciting recent finding is that less invasive methods are being developed to treat diseases of the aortic valve. There are no medical cures for aortic valve diseases. Until recently, open-heart surgery was the only effective method of treatment. Now percutaneous approaches to implant bioprosthetic valves into failed native or previously implanted bioprosthetic valves are being developed and utilized. A genetic basis for many of the diseases that affect the aortic valve is being discovered that also should lead to innovative approaches to perhaps prevent these disease. Sequencing of ribosomal RNA is assisting in identifying organisms causing endocarditis, leading to more effective antimicrobial therapy. There is exciting, expanding, therapeutic innovation in the treatment of aortic valve disease.