10 Modern Treatment Paths for Aortic Stenosis: Understanding Your Choices

7. Aortic Valve Repair

Aortic stenosis patients may need to have the faulty valve of their heart repaired through a minimally invasive procedure. A balloon valvopathy is a procedure involving a catheter equipped with a small balloon on its end. This catheter is threaded into the body through a large artery in the groin area to the narrowed aortic valve in the heart. The balloon is inflated to stretch the valve and then removed along with the catheter. This procedure is a temporary fix for an individual with moderate aortic stenosis because the effects do not last for an extended period. Balloon valvopathy is used sparingly and on patients waiting for another operation or who cannot undergo a major surgical procedure to replace their aortic valve. There are other advantages to a valve repair over replacement. They include a reduced risk of infection-related complications along with the need to be on blood thinners for life. Recovery from an aortic valve repair is quicker, and there is less post-procedural pain reported with this procedure. In uncommon cases, surgical aortic valve repair may be done while the patient is having open surgery to repair another heart defect.

8. Aortic Valve Replacement

Some patients are unable to control their symptoms and complications of aortic stenosis through non-surgical or minimally invasive repair methods. In such cases, the patient requires an aortic valve replacement. This refers to the complete excision of the narrowed valve and the installation of a replacement. Replacement valves are made from tissues that come from pigs, cows, or other individuals. Some replacement valves are mechanical and artificial. Artificial mechanical replacement valves mean patients must take blood thinners for the rest of their life. However, they also last longer than biological valves. Valves made of living tissue do not carry medication requirements, though they do require replacement every ten to fifteen years. While open surgery to replace the aortic valve is most effective, an alternative replacement method is available. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement works the same as a balloon valvuloplasty. However, the replacement valve is inserted before the balloon is deflated and removed. This procedure is common in patients who have already had a valve replacement and need another one.