Aortic stenosis in the geriatric population: current perspectives and modern treatment options

Abstract

Current demographic trends in all modern industrial countries will result in an increase in life expectancy. As a result, the number of octogenarians, nonagenarians and even centenarians will increase considerably within the next 50 years. Accordingly, the incidence of degenerative and calcified aortic stenosis, which is the most common form of valvular heart disease in Europe, will rise significantly. Although current outcomes of conventional surgical aortic valve replacement are excellent, even in elderly patients, mortality rates increase with the occurrence of comorbidities. Recent evidence suggests that more than 30% of patients who have an indication for aortic valve replacement remain untreated because nearly half of them are deemed ‘too sick’ for surgery. Therefore, it is good news that minimally invasive alternatives to open heart surgery have recently been developed and offer new treatment options for these ‘high-risk’ patients.