Roman Čerbák
Aortic stenosis at higher age is the commonest valve defect. In terms of its aetiology, not only age but also increased cholesterol levels can play a role in its development. Conditions accelerating progression of aortic stenosis include hypertension, smoking, chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, and hyperkalcaemia. As a result, the condition is not just a degenerative and, hence, untreated disease. Consequently, disease progression can be hindered by inhibition of risk factors. This fact also delays surgery, which is the only therapeutic procedure. No medical therapy can eliminate outflow tract obstruction. Symptomatic patients whose symptoms are induced by the defect are urgently indicated for surgery. Aortic valve replacement is accomplished using either a mechanical prosthesis or a bioprosthesis. a patient undergoing surgery does not become a healthy individual and continues to require medical care including prevention of bacterial endocarditis, detection of mechanical prosthesis dysfunction, and appropriate anticoagulation (mechanical prosthesis) or antiaggregation therapy (bioprosthesis) therapy.