Can aortic stenosis be treated medically?

Can aortic stenosis be treated medically?

The only definitive treatment for aortic stenosis in adults is aortic valve replacement, performed surgically or percutaneously. The development of symptoms due to aortic stenosis provides a clear indication for replacement.

What medications should be avoided with aortic stenosis?

The patient with severe aortic stenosis is relatively “afterload fixed and preload dependent” — meaning cardiac output does not increase with after-load reduction. Thus all afterload reducing agents (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, blockers) are contraindicated.

What is the best way to treat aortic stenosis?

Aortic valve replacement is the only effective treatment for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Watchful waiting is recommended for most patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis, including those with severe disease.

How fast can aortic stenosis progress?

According to The Cleveland Clinic, catheterization and echocardiographic studies suggest that, on average, the valve area declines 0.1-0.3 square centimeters per year. The Cleveland Clinic also states that the systolic pressure gradient across the aortic valve can increase by as much as 10-15 mm Hg per year.

What is the life expectancy of someone with aortic stenosis?

Life expectancy is 1 or 2 years for patients with heart failure phenomena, 2 or 3 years in those with syncope and 4 or 5 years, in patients with angina pectoris. Among patients with severe aortic stenosis, medically treated, 50\% die in 2 years, half of them by sudden death.

How long does someone with aortic stenosis live?

Depends on symptoms. Patients with uncorrected aortic stenosis have a poor survival: half of the patients that develop angina ( chest pain) will die within 5 years, half of the patients that develop syncope (passing out) will die within 3 years, and half of the patients that develop heart failure will die within 2 years.

What is the leaking heart valve life expectancy?

In some patients, a leaky heart valve remains in the same condition lifelong , not causing any trouble; while in some it may develop rapidly leading to heart failure. Therefore, it can be said that life expectancy with leaking heart valves is quite relative and can vary from person to person.

What is the prognosis with aortic valve replacement?

Asymptomatic patients, even with critical aortic stenosis, have an excellent prognosis for survival, with an expected death rate of less than 1\% per year; only 4\% of sudden cardiac deaths in severe aortic stenosis occur in asymptomatic patients.