Articles: ninos.
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Calcific aortic stenosis (AS) restricts the aortic valve opening during systole due to calcification and fibrosis of either a congenital bicuspid or a normal trileaflet aortic valve. In the US, AS affects 1% to 2% of adults older than 65 years and approximately 12% of adults older than 75 years. Worldwide, AS leads to more than 100 000 deaths annually. ⋯ Calcific AS is a common chronic progressive condition among older adults and is diagnosed via echocardiography. Symptomatic patients with severe AS have a mortality rate of up to 50% after 1 year, but treatment with SAVR or TAVI reduces mortality to that of age-matched control patients. The type and timing of valve replacement should be built on evidence-based guidelines, shared decision-making, and involvement of a multidisciplinary heart valve team.