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Other Names: Aortic Valve Stenosis
Aortic Stenosis
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Aortic stenosis is the narrowing or obstruction of the aortic valve.
This narrowing or obstruction prevents it from opening properly and blocks
the flow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta.
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- The commonest cause of aortic stenosis is rheumatic fever which is
a complication of untreated streptococcal throat infection.
- Calcification of the aortic valve.
- Congenital abnormalities of the aortic valve which may be present at
birth.
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Aortic stenosis occurs in approximately 5 out of every 10,000 people.
It is more common among men. This condition may remain asymptomatic until
middle age or older.
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- Fainting or syncopal attacks
- Feeling of weakness and breathlessness with activity
- Palpitations
- dizziness
- Chest pain under the sternum. The pain may be crushing, squeezing,
pressure like or just tightness of the chest. The pain may increase with
exercise and relieved with rest
- Aortic stenosis may show no symptoms until late in the course of the
disease.
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- Examination of the chest shows a palpable chest thrill which is vibration
that is felt by holding the hand over the heart.
- A heart murmur which is an abnormal sound, can be heard on examination
of the chest with a stethoscope.
- The pulse may be faint.
- Blood pressure may be below the normal limits.
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- Asymptomatic condition or mild symptoms may require only observation
- Moderate to severe problem may require hospitalization.
- Medications can include diuretics, digoxin, and other medications to
control heart failure.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity.
- Get a physical exam every 6 to 12 months and an ECG performed every
1 to 3 years.
- Surgical repair or replacement of the valve is the preferred treatment
for symptomatic aortic stenosis.
- Patients with advanced heart failure may benefit from a procedure called
balloon valvuloplasty. This is a procedure in which a balloon is placed
into an artery in the groin, advanced to the heart, placed across the
valve and inflated. This may relieve the obstruction caused by the narrowed
valve.
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Aortic stenosis is almost always cured with surgical repair. There may
be a continued risk for arrhythmias and sometimes sudden death. The person
may be asymptomatic until complications of aortic stenosis develop. Without
surgery, probably the prognosis of this disease is quite poor especially
if there are signs of angina or heart failure.
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- Left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement) caused by the extra work
of pushing blood through the narrowed valve
- Left-sided heart failure
- Arrhythmias
- Endocarditis or valve infection
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- Streptococcal infection of the throat should be treated promptly to
prevent rheumatic fever, which can cause aortic stenosis.
- Any dental work like cleaning or any invasive procedure can introduce
bacteria into the bloodstream. This bacteria can infect a weakened valve
causing endocarditis.
Follow your physicians treatment recommendations for conditions that
may cause valve disease. Notify your physician if there is a family history
of congenital heart diseases.
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Acromegaly
