Aortic stenosis: descriptive analysis of the epidemiological situation in Chile

Abstract

Valvular heart disease is a group of diseases of the circulatory system in which the functioning of the valves is affected, causing a loss of normal blood flow distribution and potentially leading to heart failure. Due to the ageing population and the increase in chronic non-communicable diseases, there has been an increase in the incidence of degenerative aortic stenosis. Objective: To describe the epidemiological situation of aortic stenosis at the national level, based on data obtained from the Department of Health Statistics and Information, provided by the Centre for Epidemiology and Health Policy, from the calculation of hospital discharge and mortality rates between 2002 and 2019. Methodology: A descriptive quantitative study was conducted, analysing data from secondary databases on discharge and mortality rates according to time, age, location by region, and sex in the Chilean population between 2002 and 2019. Results: An increase in hospital discharges and mortality over time was observed, especially in the most aged regions. When adjusted for age, the upward trend in discharges persists, but mortality remains constant. Discussion: With advances in medicine, there has been an ageing of the population associated with an increase in cardiovascular diseases, conditions that contribute to the pathophysiology of aortic stenosis and could cause the observed increase. Conclusion: Given the demographic changes, early detection is necessary, along with good management of comorbidities to prevent their progression.