Balloon aortic valvuloplasty as a bridge to aortic valve replacement in critically ill patients.

This report highlights our experience in 5 patients with severe aortic stenosis and multiple organ failure undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty as a bridge to conventional aortic valve replacement. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty successfully stabilized the condition of these patients, improved organ function, and decreased their baseline risk profile. Elective aortic valve replacement was then performed without complications. Short-term palliation with balloon aortic valvuloplasty should be considered as a bridge to aortic valve replacement in selected patients with critical aortic stenosis and multiple organ failure.