Severe Aortic Stenosis Treatment Options1

You may think it is ok to withhold new or worsening symptoms from your doctor at appointments, but it can be dangerous. Witholding new or worsening symptoms from your doctor at appointments can have negative consequences for your health. The symptoms may mean that your severe aortic stenosis has reached a life-threatening point.

The sooner you treat your severe aortic stenosis, the sooner you can get back to your normal life.2

Is medication an effective treatment?3

Depending on how far your aortic stenosis has progressed, your doctor may prescribe medication at first to help control your symptoms. Medication alone will not treat severe aortic stenosis which will continue to get worse until you have your aortic valve replaced.9

What are the treatment options for severe aortic stenosis?

Medication alone will not treat severe aortic stenosis. Aortic valve replacement, through either open heart surgery or the less invasive transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) , which does not require your chest to be opened, is the only effective treatment for severe aortic stenosis.3

Your aortic valve replacement options:

TAVI

(also known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation)

  • TAVI is a less invasive way to replace your aortic valve without opening the chest.4,5
  • During the TAVI procedure, a small tube is used to insert a  bioprosthetic valve inside your diseased valve.
  • TAVI has a shorter procedure time and hospital stay compared to surgery.6
  • Many patients return home sooner and have a shorter recovery time.7,8
  • Talk to your doctor about questions you may have about TAVI and/or its associated risks.

Open heart surgery10

(also known as surgical aortic valve replacement)

  • Typically, during open heart surgery, the surgeon will make an incision in your chest to access your valve.
  • Sometimes open heart surgeries can be performed through smaller incisions (called  minimal incision valve surgery ).
  • Your old aortic valve will be taken out and a new one will be placed in your heart.
  • The new valve can either be a  mechanical valve or a  bioprosthetic valve .
  • Talk to your doctor about questions you may have about open heart surgery and/or its associated risks.
Aortic Stenosis Informed Discussion Guide

For your next appointment

Use this Informed Discussion Guide to help you talk with your doctor about aortic stenosis, possible symptoms, and treatment options once your aortic stenosis becomes severe. Don’t wait.

Talk with your doctor

How can you get the most from your doctor appointments?

To get the attention and care you deserve, it is important to maximize the time you have at your doctor visits. Below are some tips on how to have a helpful conversation with your doctor about your severe aortic stenosis:

Make a list

Before your appointment, write down and prioritize things you want to discuss, including new or worsening symptoms, questions, and concerns you may have. Bring the list to your appointment to help focus the conversation.

Be honest

Although it can be overwhelming, it is important to share changes in your health so that you can receive proper and timely care.

Ask about all your treatment options

It is natural to feel afraid, but it is important to seek treatment for your severe aortic stenosis as soon as you experience symptoms. Postponing treatment is dangerous. Be sure to ask your doctor about all your treatment options.

Free TAVR info kit

Want more information delivered directly to you?

Get a free information kit by email or mail to learn more about severe aortic stenosis and TAVI as a treatment option.

What you’ll receive in your kit:

  • Education on severe aortic stenosis and symptoms checklist once it becomes severe
  • Information on TAVI as a treatment option
  • Discussion guide for talking with your doctor
Order your free info kit

References
1. Praz F, Borger MA, Lanz J et al. 2025 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease. Eur Heart J. 2025;46(44):4635–4736.
2. Otto CM. Timing of aortic valve surgery. Heart. 2000;84(2):211–218. doi: 10.1136/heart.84.2.211.
3. Brown ML, Pellikka PA, Schaff HV et al. The benefits of early valve replacement in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2008;135(2):308–315. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2007.08.058.
4. Kleczynski P, Bagieński M, Sorysz D et al. Short- and intermediate-term improvement of patient quality of life after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A single-centre study. Kardiol Pol. 2014;72(7):612–616. doi: 10.5603/KP.a2014.0065.
5. Reynolds MR, Magnuson EA, Wang K et al. Health-related quality of life after transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis: results from the PARTNER (Placement of AoRTic TraNscathetER Valve) Trial (Cohort A). J Am Coll Cardiel. 2012;60(6):548–558. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2012.03.075.
6. Mack MJ, Leon M, thourani VH et al. Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement with a Balloon-Expandable Valve in Low-Risk Patients. N Engl J Med. 20l9;380(18):1695–1705 and supplementary material. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1814052.
7. Thourani VH, Kodali S, Makkar RR et al. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement versus surgical valve replacement in intermediate-risk patients: a propensity score analysis. Lancet. 2016;387(10034):2218–2225. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30073–3.
8. Leon MB, Smith CR, Mack MJ et al. Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic-Valve Replacement in Intermediate-Risk Patients. N Engl J Med. 20l6;374(17):1609–1620. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1514616.
9. Grimard BH, Larson JM. Aortic stenosis: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(6):717–724.
10. Cleveland Clinic. Open-Heart Surgery. Accessed from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21502-open-heart-surgery. [Accessed on 15 April 2025.]

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