Treatment

Medical treatment for aortic valve disease will depend on how severe the symptoms are. At first, medication may be needed to control the symptoms. The following medications are commonly used.

• Diuretics or water tablets. These encourage the body to produce urine to relieve the build-up of fluid in the lungs and lower part of the body.
• ACE inhibitors. These reduce the amount of work the heart does and improve the flow of blood to the heart muscle.
• Anti-arrhythmic drugs. These stabilise the heart rhythm.

Aortic valve disease can also be treated in the following ways.

Valvuloplasty
A catheter (thin tube) is inserted into the femoral artery (the artery in the leg) and a balloon is inflated to stretch the damaged valve. Valvuloplasty can be effective in reducing symptoms and lasts about five to 10 years.

Valve replacement
Aortic valves cannot usually be repaired, so the valve would need to be replaced. This may be with a mechanical valve or a tissue valve. Tissue valves are made from specially treated animal or human tissue.

Each type of valve has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, mechanical valves may last a lot longer, but you would need to take ‘anticoagulant’ medication, and have regular blood tests. Tissue valves do not last as long as mechanical valves but you do not need to take anticoagulants for the rest of your life. If you need a replacement valve, the doctor will discuss which type of valve will suit you best.

Mixed valve disease is a combination of both aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation. The overall symptoms are often similar to that of aortic stenosis.

A tissue valve