With the advancing age of our general population, degenerative calcific aortic valve stenosis is becoming an important health care issue. Natural history of the disease is poor, with significant morbidity and mortality once symptoms of heart failure, angina or syncope occur.
During the last few years, important new insights concerning pathophysiology and diagnosis of aortic stenosis progressively change the clinical approach of our patients. Moreover, percutaneous catheter-based systems for the treatment of valvular heart disease have been designed and clinically evaluated, and may also expand our treatment modalities of mostly elderly patients.
This symposium held by Antwerp University Hospital's cardiology and cardiosurgery department aims to give an updated overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis (both non-invasive and invasive) and the treatment modalities for aortic valve stenosis for the clinical cardiologist and co-workers involved in patient care.
A faculty of international and national experts, involved in the field, will give practical review lectures covering all topics, in a half-day course.