Clinical Characteristics and Mid-Term follow-up of Elderly Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis not Eligible for TAVI

Abstract

Degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common form of valve disease in the Western world, especially in the population over 75 years of age, 1-3 with a progressive increase in prevalence with advancing age. 3,4 It merits particular attention for its clinical importance and its growing socio-economic impact.The natural history of the disease consists of a prolonged latent period of low morbidity and mortality. 2 However, when symptoms of angina, syncope, or cardiac insufficiency develop, the average survival drops, and there is a progressive increase in the risk of sudden death. 2 However, in clinical practice, at least 30% of patients with symptomatic AS aged 75 or older do not undergo surgery due to their advanced