Valve replacement in octogenarians: arguments for an earlier surgical intervention.

Background And Aim Of The Study: In octogenarians with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis (AS), aortic valve replacement (AVR) is frequently not performed in due time, because the prognostic benefit is underestimated, while perioperative morbidity and mortality are overestimated. The severely impaired prognosis and quality of life after myocardial decompensation then urges AVR with a significantly increased perioperative risk.

Methods: Between 2003 and 2006, all octogenarians with isolated symptomatic AS (indexed aortic valve opening area <0.