Aortic Valvular Disease

Broadly speaking, pathology is categorized as being primarily related to valvular stenosis (AS) or regurgitation (AR), but a diseased valve may often exhibit both. The predilection of degenerative disease of the aortic valve, particularly stenosis, for the elderly has resulted in a steadily increasing prevalence as the population ages. As general life expectancy increases in the United States and other western countries, surgery to correct aortic valve disease will increase. As more elderly patients with more comorbidities present for surgery their intraoperative and perioperative care will become more complex. This chapter discusses ways for the practicing intensivist to facilitate identification and treatment in the immediate peri-operative period.