Who is a good candidate for SAVR, and who should avoid it?

Ideal candidates are younger patients (typically under 65 for mechanical valves, under 70 for biological) with severe aortic stenosis or regurgitation causing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting. Contraindications include advanced age with high surgical risk, severe lung or kidney disease, active infection, or a life expectancy under one year. Patients who cannot tolerate blood thinners (needed lifelong with mechanical valves) may be better suited for biological valves or less invasive options like TAVR. A thorough preoperative evaluation in China will confirm your suitability.