Aortic Valve Replacement in the Current Era

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Valvular Heart Disease
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Aortic valve disease (AVD) is a widespread global health issue.
• Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the primary surgical intervention for severe AVD.
• AVD stems from various causes, including aortic stenosis, aortic insufficiency, endocarditis, and congenital defects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current landscape of aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic valve disease (AVD).
• To highlight advancements in surgical techniques and their impact on patient candidacy.
• To emphasize the importance of personalized treatment strategies in AVR.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on AVD and AVR.
• Analysis of novel surgical techniques such as transcatheter AVR (TAVR) and sutureless valves.
• Discussion of factors influencing AVR decision-making, including patient age and VKA compatibility.

Main Results:

• AVR remains a cornerstone treatment for severe AVD.
• Innovative techniques like TAVR and sutureless valves have broadened access to AVR.
• Shared decision-making is crucial for selecting appropriate valve types and surgical approaches.

Conclusions:

• Continued research is vital for enhancing patient outcomes and expanding AVR eligibility.
• AVR is expected to maintain its significant role in managing AVD.
• Personalized patient care, considering age and VKA compatibility, is key to successful AVR outcomes.