Contemporary Clinical Treatment Options and Outcomes of Aortic Valve Disease

The aortic valve is strategically positioned within the heart, and the pathologies affecting this valve have emerged as a significant area of interest for cardiologists and surgeons. Aortic valve diseases are a major contributor to mortality rates linked to valvular heart diseases. While its function was historically perceived as entirely passive, recent research has yielded profound insights into the intricate physiology of the aortic root, thereby establishing a new paradigm for understanding, diagnosing, and managing aortic valve diseases. Since the pioneering implantation of the Hufnagel aortic valve prosthesis in the descending thoracic aorta at Georgetown University in 1952, considerable advancements have been achieved in this domain. The progress in scientific research and technological innovation—encompassing genetics, molecular biology, bioengineering, and biotechnology—has revealed new avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of aortic valve diseases. This Reprint aims to address critical and contemporary inquiries relevant to clinical and surgical practices, fostering and generating new insights into the science of aortic valve diseases.