What Are the Treatments for Aortic Stenosis?

Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the body. Treatment for aortic stenosis may include medication, balloon valvuloplasty, or surgical aortic valve replacement.

Medications

Some medications can help to relieve symptoms of aortic stenosis and improve heart function. These include:

- Beta-blockers, which slow the heart rate and reduce the force of heart contractions

- Calcium channel blockers, which relax blood vessels and reduce the workload on the heart

- Diuretics, which remove excess fluid from the body and reduce the risk of heart failure

- ACE inhibitors, which widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure

Balloon Valvuloplasty

Balloon valvuloplasty is a procedure in which a tiny balloon is inserted into the blocked aortic valve and inflated. This can help to widen the valve and improve blood flow. Balloon valvuloplasty is typically performed in a cardiac catheterization lab and does not require open-heart surgery.

Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

Surgical aortic valve replacement involves removing the damaged aortic valve and replacing it with a new one. The new valve can be made from either animal tissue or artificial materials. Aortic valve replacement is a major surgical procedure but usually results in significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life.