Aortic Stenosis: An Introduction
Aortic stenosis is a condition in which the aortic valve is narrowed.
The aortic valve is on the left side of the heart. It separates the left ventricle and the entrance to the aorta, the artery that carries blood to the body. Valves are like doors that open and close. They open to allow blood to flow through to the next chamber or to one of the arteries, and then they shut to keep blood from flowing backwards. The aortic valve opens when the left ventricle contracts. This allows blood to flow into the aorta. The aortic valve closes to prevent blood from coming back into the left ventricle.
In aortic stenosis, the aortic valve does not open all the way. This forces the heart to work harder to pump blood out of the left ventricle to the rest of the body. Over time, the left ventricle thickens and becomes less effective in pumping blood.
Aortic stenosis can be caused by several health issues, including:
- Conditions a person is born with (congenital defects)
- A bicuspid aortic valve (a valve that only has two leaflets instead of three)
- Calcium buildup on the valve
- Inflammation from rheumatic fever.
Most of these conditions cause a thickening of the aortic valve, making it unable to fully open.
Aortic stenosis is three times more common in males than females. Symptoms usually begin after the age of 60, but can occur in children and young adults due to congenital conditions, such as a bicuspid valve.
Aortic Stenosis: Symptoms
The classic symptoms of aortic stenosis include:
Once aortic symptoms appear, a person's condition can deteriorate quickly.
Diagnosing Aortic Stenosis
Doctors diagnose aortic stenosis based on the patient's symptoms, a physical exam, and certain tests and procedures. The tests used to diagnose aortic stenosis can include:
The recommended treatment for aortic stenosis will be based on the severity of the stenosis and the patient's general health.
If a person is diagnosed with mild to moderate aortic stenosis but has no symptoms, the doctor may recommend only regular checkups every 6 to 12 months to monitor the patient's condition.
For aortic stenosis with mild symptoms, medical therapy may be recommended. This can include limiting strenuous activity and using medications to treat heart failure. Also, preventive antibiotics are recommended whenever the patient undergoes any surgical or dental procedures.
For more severe cases of aortic stenosis, surgery is recommended.
Aortic valve replacement is the most frequently performed surgery for severe cases of aortic stenosis. Surgery is usually recommended in these cases, because the five-year survivability of severe aortic stenosis is very low without
aortic valve replacement surgery.
For people who would not do well in surgery, the doctor may recommend a balloon valvuloplasty. In balloon valvuloplasty, a balloon-tipped catheter is threaded through a vein and eventually into the heart. Once inside the valve, the balloon is inflated to expand the valve opening.
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