CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF SEVERE AORTIC STENOSIS1
Severe aortic stenosis is a condition when the aortic valve becomes diseased (stenotic). The valve leaflets become stiff and thickened and have a difficult time opening and closing. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. A diseased valve affects the overall health and limits daily activities.
- In a healthy aortic valve, three thin leaflets open and close properly.
- In a diseased (stenotic) valve, the leaflets become stiff and thickened, making your heart work harder to pump the blood
to the body.
Some causes of severe aortic stenosis include1:
- Age
- Calcium buildup
- Radiation therapy
- Infection of the heart
- Failing aortic surgical valve
Symptoms of severe aortic stenosis include, but may not be limited to1:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Out of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SEVERE AORTIC STENOSIS2
MEDICATION
Certain medications may ease some of the symptoms of severe aortic stenosis.
BALLOON VALVULOPLASTY (BAV)
A tiny balloon is inflated in the aortic valve to try to improve blood flow.
SURGICAL AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT (SAVR)
Open-heart surgery is done to remove the damaged valve and replace it with an artificial valve.
TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE implantation (TAVi)
TAVI can be less invasive than open-heart surgery2. The doctor will make a small incision, insert a thin, flexible tube into an artery, and guide the heart valve to the heart to replace the function of the diseased valve or failing surgical valve.
CHOOSING THE BEST TREATMENT OPTION
The heart team will conduct tests to help determine the best treatment plan for the patient. These tests will tell the doctor:
- The shape and size of the heart
- The structure of the artery system
- Other medical problems that may be present
Common tests performed in the valve clinic include:
- Cardiac catheterisation
- CT scan
- Echocardiogram
- Carotid ultrasound
- Blood tests
- Physical exam
- Frailty testing