What is the treatment option for aortic stenosis?

For aortic stenosis, replacement surgery is a treatment option that addresses the underlying issue effectively. Aortic stenosis involves the narrowing of the aortic valve, which can lead to significant cardiac complications due to increased pressure on the heart and reduced blood flow to the body. When symptoms occur or when the stenosis becomes severe, surgical intervention is required to alleviate these complications.

Replacement surgery, which can either be a surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), involves removing the narrowed valve and replacing it with a prosthetic valve. This procedure can significantly improve symptoms, increase exercise tolerance, and enhance the quality of life for patients, often leading to improved long-term survival outcomes.

Other treatment options such as medications might provide symptomatic relief, but they do not address the mechanical obstruction caused by the stenosis. Valvuloplasty, while it can temporarily relieve symptoms by enlarging the valve, is typically not a long-term solution and is generally reserved for patients who are not surgical candidates. Observation may be appropriate for asymptomatic patients or those with mild stenosis, but once symptoms or severe stenosis present, intervention is warranted.

Therefore, replacement surgery is the most definitive and effective treatment strategy