Aortic stenosis: role of balloon aortic valvuloplasty.

Calcific aortic stenosis (AS) is the most frequent expression of aortic valve disease in the Western world, with an increasing prevalence as the population ages. Almost 4% of all adults 75 years of age or older have moderate or severe AS. Many patients do not undergo surgery because of prohibitive comorbidities or other high-risk features. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) remains an option for temporary palliation and symptomatic relief in such patients. In addition, BAV continues to serve an important role as a bridge to either surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement in certain patients with AS requiring temporary hemodynamic stabilization.