BACKGROUND: Calcific aortic valve stenosis is the most common cause of aortic valve replacement (AVR) in the Western world, and increases in prevalence with ageing, overtaking 2-3% of the population by the age of 65. So far, there is no official register of aortic valve stenosis patients in Croatia. It is very important to recognize the need to have proper follow up of these patients, considering difficulties and challenges that arise in the daily work with these patients and follow up. (1, 2)

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study enrolled the patients undergoing aortic valve replacement due to symptomatic severe calcified aortic valve stenosis in University Hospital Centre Osijek, in the period from 2007 to 2016.

RESULTS: The data showed the overall number of patients underwent aortic valve replacement, distribution by gender, age (Figure 1), number of specific type of aortic valve prothesis (mechanical or biological; Figure 2), risk factors and atrial fibrillation. Hypertension was shown to be significantly more frequent risk factor in these patients than other risk factors, where significantly higher prevalence of hypertension is in female group in the time of AVR any type (p<0.001). Average age of male patients with mechanical AVR is 57±8 and female 56±9 years old, where number of male patients with mechanical AVR is significantly higher (p<0.005). Average age of male patient with biological AVR is 71±6 and female 71±4 years old, where number of female patients in this group is higher (p<0.005).

CONCLUSION: This data could present valuable basis for the future register of aortic valve stenosis patients.