Dear Colleagues,
The aim of this special issue is to explore the latest advances and current issues in diagnosing and treating severe aortic stenosis (AS). Over time, transcatheter heart valves (THVs) have evolved from being a last-resort option for high-risk patients to becoming a viable alternative for surgical aortic valve replacement, even in intermediate- and low-risk patients.
However, the recent expansion of THV usage to low-risk patients has raised questions about long-term outcomes and the durability of THVs, particularly in younger patients who may experience structural valve deterioration or thrombosis compared to newer generations of surgical bio-prostheses. Additionally, the surgical community has embraced the challenge posed by THVs and has shown increasing interest in minimally invasive and endoscopic aortic valve replacement (AVR) techniques using suture-less and rapid deployment valves, thereby simplifying the procedure in patients with higher surgical risk.
Furthermore, certain anatomical characteristics of the aortic root and aortic valve still present challenges for the use of THVs. One such concern is the utilization of THVs in patients with bicuspid aortic valves. This remains a topic of debate due to considerations regarding hemodynamics and long-term durability compared to surgical aortic valve replacement. Another crucial aspect that requires attention is the use of THVs in patients with a small aortic root and annulus. In such cases, the implementation of suture-less valves and aortic valve reconstruction with autologous pericardium may have a significant role to play.
In recent years, a major advance has been the possible application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the treatment of aortic stenosis. AI has shown promise for the improvement of patient selection through the development of predictive models, facilitating procedural planning, and providing intraprocedural guidance by integrating 3D echocardiography and fluoroscopy. However, the full potential of AI in this area has yet to be fully realized.
For this special issue, we invite submissions from experts and innovators in the field of AS treatment. The focus will be on emerging technologies and controversies surrounding this topic, with the goal of stimulating discussion on optimal patient and treatment selection.
Prof. Claudio Muneretto and Dr. Lorenzo Di Bacco
Guest Editors
Manuscripts should be submitted via our online editorial system at https://imr.propub.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to start your submission. Manuscripts can be submitted now or up until the deadline. All papers will go through peer-review process. Accepted papers will be published in the journal (as soon as accepted) and meanwhile listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, reviews as well as short communications are preferred. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office to announce on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts will be thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. Please visit the Instruction for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) in this open access journal is 2200 USD. Submitted manuscripts should be well formatted in good English.