Balloon aortic valvuloplasty under temporary mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to aortic valve replacement in a patient with hemodynamic failure secondary to critical aortic valve stenosis.

Aortic valve replacement in the setting of critical aortic valve stenosis with cardiogenic shock is associated with high mortality, yet surgery is the only definitive treatment. We present the case of a patient with critical aortic valve stenosis and cardiogenic shock who received a short period of percutaneous mechanical support and balloon aortic valvuloplasty that resulted in rapid clinical improvement. The patient then underwent uneventful aortic valve replacement. We believe that temporary mechanical circulatory support coupled with balloon aortic valvuloplasty helped to restore hemodynamic stability before surgery, leading to a better outcome.