Author/Editor     Ambrožič, Jana; Zorman, Darko; Ažman-Juvan, Katja; Mušič, Špela; Koželj, Mirta; Bunc, Matjaž
Title     Perkutana balonska dilatacija aortne zaklopke
Translated title     Percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty
Type     članek
Source     Zdrav Vestn
Vol. and No.     Letnik 79, št. 1
Publication year     2010
Volume     str. 48-54
Language     slo
Abstract     Background: As the population ages there is an increasing number of elderly patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and numerous co-morbidities. Decision for aortic valve replacement-a gold standard for the treatment of aortic stenosis-might be difficult in this group of patients,in whom open heart procedure may be associated with an unacceptably high risk. Less invasive percutaneous methods are being developed as alternative options for improving the quality of life and prolonging survival. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty is a percutaneous catheterbased method for dilation of the aortic valve, which was in the past almost abandoned due to a high incidence of restenosis and the lack of impact on long-term survival. Twenty years aft er its introduction in the elderly patients, together with the development of percutaneous aortic valve implantation methods, balloon aortic valvuloplasty is regaining its role. Case report: We report a case of a 88-yearold woman with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and a high perioperative risk, who was considered unsuitable for surgical aortic valve replacement. Owing to worsening of her symptoms, she had balloon aortic valvuloplasty performed. After the procedure she improved clinically and objectively. Conclusions: Our case points out that there are additional therapeutic options for highrisk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Many share the opinion that balloon aortic valvuloplasty will play an important role as a palliative therapy or a bridge to surgical or percutaneous prosthetic valve implantation.
Descriptors     AORTIC VALVE STENOSIS
BALLOON DILATATION
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, DOPPLER
TREATMENT OUTCOME
AGED, 80 AND OVER