We report the case of an 81-year-old patient with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) who developed refractory hemodynamic instability and respiratory arrest during a diagnostic cardiac catheterization. The patient was submitted to a percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty as a life saving procedure with subsequent hemodynamic improvement and clinical stabilization. The possibility of surgical treatment for AS was excluded due to the high surgical risk. Clinical follow-up of up to 7 months after the procedure demonstrated significant improvement in functional class and good exercise tolerance.
Aortic valve stenosis; Shock, cardiogenic; Heart valve prosthesis implantation
