aortic valve stenosis

[Sanford Timen]

Has an alternative to valve replacement/repair become available?  My 80 year old father is currently being followed by his cardiologist for AS.  He does not have active ASHD and has never had a angina nor an MI.

[Roy]

To Sanford:

There are currently 3 options for elderly diagnosed with AS (aortic stenosis).  I know because my 85 year old mother (who was quite vigorous, independent, homemaker) had a brief fainting episode in 1996 and was diagnosed with AS).  Although she recovered immediately and fully from the faint, the hospital said the 3 options were:
1) valve replacment surgery; and at 85 it would be a pig valve
2) valvuplasty - which is like angioplasty, only for the valve, a balloon 'cleans' the valve as much as it can. But this is very temporary 'help'
3) do nothing.

Before you do ANYTHING, tho - get a 2nd and even 3rd Opinion. You must NEVER agree to elective open heart surgery for anyone (meaning it's non-emergency) without getting more than 1 opinion.
Good luck - and feel free to let me know what has happened with your Dad, I'd be glad to discuss with you.
I can be emailed at ***@****

[Jennifer King]

My 3 month old son has aortic valve stenosis.  They want to operate now.  What are his chances for survival?  Should I wait?  How long could I wait?  Are the doctors jumping the gun?

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

No good alternative exists. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty is not a good option, other than for patients who are too ill to undergo surgery or patients with a very limited lifespan (due to cancer for example).