Aortic stenosis in the elderly: Background, indication for transcatheter treatment, and clinical trial results

Background Etiology and prevalence Valvular aortic stenosis (AS) is most likely due to calcic disease, rheumatic valvular disease, or congenitally abnormal valve (unicuspid or bicuspid) with additional calci- cation. In Europe and North America, the most common causes are calcic heart disease and congenitally abnormal aortic valve (AV), followed by rheumatic heart disease (which is most common worldwide). Other causes include metabolic diseases such as Fabry’s disease, systematic lupus erythematosus, Paget’s disease, and alkaptonuria.