Ask a Texas Heart Institute Doctor
Informed patients make better patients.
Question:
When do risks of surgery for aortic valve stenosis exceed benefits? My mother is 85 years old, in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, has chronic leukemia, is on medication for seizure disorder and is a heavy smoker. She was recently diagnosed with aortic stenosis and heart valve replacement was given as the only option. I think she is a high risk patient and my fear is she will not be able to recover from the surgery. What would you do?
submitted by Anne, from Woodville, Texas, 1/29/09
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiovascular surgeon, David A. Ott, MD 
Aortic stenosis is one condition for which surgery may be appropriate even at advanced age. This is true because severe aortic stenosis is a cause of sudden death even in patients without symptoms. Older patients in otherwise good condition are suitable candidates for aortic valve replacement even at age 85 plus, although the risk is higher than in younger patients. Patients with other conditions that adversely affect the outcome such as early dementia, chronic leukemia, or chronic lung disease may not be suitable for surgery.
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Updated February 2009
