Aortic stenosis

Uncommon card · No. 197797

Aortic stenosis (AS or AoS) is the narrowing of the outlet of the main pumping chamber of the heart, the left ventricle (LV) (where the aorta begins). If the narrowing is severe (very tight) the extra work required from the left ventricle to pump the blood against the increased resistance of a small orifice may cause (initially adaptive) thickening of the heart muscle, followed by severe weakness of the heart (heart failure). The most common form of AS involves the aortic valve, which separates the LV from the aorta. Much more rarely stenosis can occur below the aortic valve or above it. Aortic stenosis typically gets worse over time. Typical symptoms are shortness of breath on exertion, chest pain (angina) and dizziness or blackouts on exertion (syncope). They often come on gradually, with a decreased ability to exercise often occurring first. If heart failure, loss of consciousness, or heart related chest pain occur due to AS, the outcomes are worse, with mortality of 50% at 2-5 years...

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