Sex Differences in the Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Aortic Stenosis

Abstract

For years, calcific aortic stenosis (AS) was considered to be similar in men and women, and the underrepresentation of women in research studies prevented any alternate conclusions. With new sex-specific studies and data, the landscape of AS is evolving and recently important sex-disparities were revealed. These sex-specific discrepancies are of utmost importance to stratify and personalize treatment according to sex. It is important and urgent to elucidate the sex-related differences and similarities in the pathophysiology of AS to develop and validate sex-specific approaches for the management and pharmacologic treatment of AS, and to improve clinical outcomes for both sexes.

Keywords: Calcific aortic stenosis; Diagnosis; Outcome; Pathophysiology; Sex differences; Surgical aortic valve replacement; Transcatheter aortic valve implantation.