Unfortunately, severe aortic stenosis cannot be treated with medication or lifestyle changes. Rather, valve replacement is recommended for people with this condition.
Procedures & Surgery
For most cases of advanced stenosis, replacement of the narrowed aortic valve with a new mechanical or tissue valve (from a pig, cow, or human donor) is recommended. Examples of replacement surgeries include:
- Aortic valve replacement surgery is performed during routine open heart procedures. This can be done with a small incision in certain patients.
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) uses a catheter to replace the aortic valve in people who can’t tolerate, or are high-risk candidates for, open heart surgery.
- In some circumstances, when the patient is high risk or severely symptomatic, the valve may be opened using a catheter with a balloon as a temporary solution until replacement. The patients may see an improvement in their symptoms, but these results are not permanent and symptoms often return.