title: [Short- and mid-term results of percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty for calcific aortic stenosis in elderly patients].
abstract: In order to evaluate the short and mid-term results of percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty, 40 consecutive elderly patients with symptomatic severe calcific aortic stenosis, underwent the procedure consecutively, with follow-up by clinical evaluation and Doppler echocardiography. Over a mean follow-up period of 11.2 months there were 5 deaths, and 12 patients underwent subsequent aortic valve replacement. Doppler echocardiography revealed an increase in aortic valve area from 0.62 +/- 0.20 cm2 to 0.91 +/- 0.23 cm2 after the procedure, but there was a significant trend toward restenosis by 12 months follow-up in 23 of 32 patients (72%). Restenosis was accompanied by symptomatic deterioration in 18 of 23 patients (78%). Although balloon valvuloplasty may often improve haemodynamics and relieve symptoms, these benefits seem to be short-lived in most cases. Restenosis has a high rate of occurrence. Aortic balloon valvuloplasty should be reserved for truly inoperable cases and for haemodynamically-unstable patients, who may later undergo surgery.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Emodinamica, Cattedra di Cardiologia, Università degli Studi di Padova.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chirillo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramondo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Razzolini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Isabella
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andriolo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rampazzo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chioin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Della Volta
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
vernacular_title: Risultati a breve e medio termine della valvuloplastica aortica percutanea nel trattamento della stenosi aortica calcifica dell'anziano.