Abstract
Aortic valve stenosis due to degenerative processes is currently the most common valvular defect in the adult population. The treatment of choice is surg. valve replacement.
In 20-30% of patients, mostly of advanced age, surg. valve replacemt cannot be permormed. In 1985, prof.Cibier carried out the first baloon dilatation of a stentic aortic valve(BAV)of this type.
Soon afterwards, the effect ov BAV was shown to be limited with early restenosis and a high risk associated with the procedure. Despite a certain revival after 2000,BAV of a degenerated aortic valve remains a largely palliative approach which, as a final procedure, is reserved for a very small group of predominantly very odl patients.
Another indication is an intervention performed as a bridge to aortic valve replacement or to another surg. procedure in serverely sympt. patients with aortic valve stenosis. Despite a number of limitations, BAV is currently a feasible and safe method with a decent short-term cl. effect.