title: Balloon aortic valvuloplasty as a bridge to aortic valve replacement in a patient with severe calcific aortic stenosis.
abstract: This case report describes a patient with severe calcific aortic stenosis who was initially considered inoperable because of a very poor left ventricular function and severe pulmonary hypertension. After balloon aortic valvuloplasty, the clinical and haemodynamic status of the patient improved to such an extent that subsequent aortic valve replacement was considered possible and eventually proved to be successful. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty has value as a potential bridge to aortic valve replacement when the risks for surgery are considered to be too high.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Swinkels
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jaarsma
authors.forename: L Relik-van
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Wely
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: van Swieten
authors.forename: J M P G
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: H W M
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Plokker
keywords: aortic stenosis; aortic valve replacement; balloon aortic valvuloplasty