Aortic stenosis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Heart, section through the middle

Aortic stenosis

Alternative Names:

Aortic valve stenosis
Treatment:

If there are no symptoms or symptoms are mild, only observation may be required. If symptoms are moderate to severe, hospitalization may be necessary.

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Medications can include diuretics, digoxin, and other medications to control heart failure. Symptomatic people may be advised to avoid strenuous physical activity. People with symptoms of aortic stenosis (difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting episodes) should have 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 less invasive 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.

Expectations (prognosis):

Aortic stenosis is curable with surgical repair, although there may be a continued risk for arrhythmias, which can sometimes cause sudden death. The person may be symptom-free until complications develop. Without surgery, probable outcome is poor if there are signs of angina or heart failure.

Complications:

left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement) caused by the extra work of pushing blood through the narrowed valve
left-sided heart failure
arrhythmias
endocarditis- valve infection

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate the possibility of aortic stenosis.

Call your health care provider if aortic stenosis has been diagnosed and symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop.