What kinds of surgery are available for problems with the Aortic Valve?

Aortic valve replacement. Unlike the mitral valve, repair of the aortic valve can only rarely be accomplished. If surgery is required, then replacement with either a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve is necessary (see explanation and picture below). This may be accomplished from either the classic approach through the breastbone ("median sternotomy") or newer "mini" procedures.

The Ross procedure. The Ross procedure utilizes the patient's own pulmonic valve for replacement into the aortic position.

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty. Balloon valvuloplasty of the aortic valve is an attractive technique for aortic stenosis since a large number of people with this problem are quite elderly and thus not ideal candidates for surgery. However, these same patients also typically have a heavily calcified aortic valve, and strokes secondary to loosening of this material can occur. Unfortunately, there is also a higher recurrence rate, with up to 80% of patients requiring repeat procedures within 6 months.