Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the normal tricuspid aortic valve or a congenital bicuspid valve which leads to restricted blood flow and eventually compromised heart function.

AVS is the most common valvular heart disease in the developed world Common condition which increases with age- an important public health problem A study in Norway has shown prevalence of AVS- 0.2 % in the 50-59 age gr- 1.3 % in the 60-69 age gr- 3.9 % in 70-79 age gr and 9.8 % in the 80-89 % Studies in US have shown an increase in hospitalization of patients over 65 for aortic valve surgery Experience has shown that AVS is progressive and after the onset of symptoms untreated patients have a poor prognosis ( once symptoms start average survival is 50 % at 2 yrs and 20 % at 5 yrs ) Overall prevalence is estimate to be between 3 % and 23 % A meta-analysis and modeling study by Rubel LJ et al has show that the pooled prevalence of all AVS in the elderly was 12.4 % and the prevalence of severe AVS was 3.4 % Every year about 67,500 surgical aortic valve replacements ( SAVR ) are done...