Aortic valve replacement and the senior citizen

The elderly patient, regardless of age, faces an early demise from progressive cardiac decompensation secondary to aortic valve disease. Aortic valve replacement can be carried out at a reasonable operative risk and extend the longevity to very close to that of normal life expectancy. It is our feeling, based on these results, that patients with significant symptoms secondary to aortic valvular disease, regardless of age and without other major organ problems, should be given the choice of aortic valve replacement to enhance the quality and quantity of their lives.