Treatment of asymptomatic aortic valve stenosis : Watchful waiting or early intervention?

There is ongoing debate about the optimal management of severe asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). Thus far, current guidelines recommend a watchful waiting strategy for the majority of asymptomatic patients. However, data on the prognosis of asymptomatic AS are inconsistent. Some reports claim an increased risk of complications and even mortality in this subset of patients when treated conservatively. Several factors are considered to contribute to the impaired outcome of asymptomatic patients, such as progressive myocardial damage or sudden cardiac death, during the watchful waiting period. Indeed, a few nonrandomized studies are available in the literature showing improved survival with early aortic valve replacement during the asymptomatic phase compared with watchful waiting. However, these studies have several limitations particularly with regard to methodology, and thus making a clear recommendation on treatment options impossible. Therefore, randomized controlled trials are urgently needed in order to treat these patients on the basis of adequate evidence.