The aortic valve is the heart's main doorway between the left ventricle and the aorta. The aortic valve can be affected by a range of problems that render the valve leaky (regurgitant or insufficient) or partially shut (stenotic).

Aortic valve replacement is the procedure to replace patient's aortic valve with an artificial valve. A major new study found that snaking a new one in through an artery significantly improved the chances that patients without an open heat surgery.