Valvular aortic stenosis is quite common in the elderly, and its prevalence will increase as the population ages. The natural history is well known, with no increased mortality in asymptomatic patients, but a 50% 2-year mortality rate once the classic symptoms of congestive heart failure, angina, or syncope develop. No effective medical therapy exists, and proper management involves careful, educated monitoring utilizing clinical findings, echocardiography for assessing and monitoring severity and progression, and ensuring appropriate timing of aortic valve replacement.
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