Congenital Aortic Valve Stenosis: To Dilate or Operate?

Congenital aortic stenosis is a lifelong disease often requiring multiple interventions. Management remains controversial. Surgical repair was first described by Lillehei and colleagues in 1956 [1], and has evolved from simple commissurotomy to complex repairs utilising cusp extension techniques with pericardial patches. However, over the past three decades, balloon aortic valvuloplasty has been the intervention of choice for many centres, seen to be a safer and less invasive alternative. An important article by Auld and colleagues is published in the current issue of Heart, Lung and Circulation [2].
Source: Heart, Lung and Circulation - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research