Clinical Manifestations
Occur due to micro-thrombi formation on thickened bicuspid valves.
Cerebral emboli
This condition results from the narrowing of a valve, causing the heart to work harder.
left ventricular hypertrophy
used to measure and assess the flow of blood through the hearts chambers and valves
A doppler echocardiogram
An innovative, nonsurgical valve replacement procedure now used in place of traditional surgery in many patients.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
most common cause of untreated strep throat, in under resourced countries
untreated rheumatic fever
A condition that causes small, abnormal blood vessels to form in the gut is present at a higher than expected frequency in patients.
Angiodysplasia
As the heart compensates for valve narrowing, this type of sound can often be heard during a check-up
systolic murmur
This test involves injecting a contrast dye into the coronary arteries to check for blockages
coronary angiography
A catheter-based procedure, used as a palliative treatment to improve symptoms when valve replacement is not an option.
Balloon Valvuloplasty
link between this disease of the mouth and endocarditis can lead to narrowing arteries
gingivitis
Calcium is a mineral found in the blood. As blood repeatedly flows over the aortic valve, calcium deposits can build up on the heart valves.
Aortic Valve Calcification
The heart undergoes this type of enlargement over time to cope with increased workload due to valve narrowing
concentric hypertrophy
A test that records the electrical impulses of the heart; for arrhythmias, muscle thickness, chamber size
An electrocardiogram (EKG)
Cardiac surgeons remove the damaged valve through open-chest or minimally invasive heart surgery and replace it with a mechanical or biological valve (made from cow, pig or human heart tissue).
Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery
deposits of this element can lead to stiffening in the valve cusps
calcium (buildup)
Chest pain or discomfort. Typically precipitated by exertion and relieved by rest.
Angina Pectoris
Severe valve narrowing can lead to this condition characterized by fluid accumulation and shortness of breath.
congestive heart failure
combines several X-ray images to provide a cross-sectional view of the heart
A cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan
The medical treatment options are limited in symptomatic patients with aortic stenosis who are not candidates for surgery. In patients with pulmonary congestion, cautious use of this medication may be helpful.
Diuretics
high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol levels are examples of
risk factors
Fainting or passing out. Often occurs upon exertion when systemic vasodilation in the presence of a fixed forward stroke volume causes the arterial systolic blood pressure to decline. It also may be caused by atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Syncope
Reduced blood flow through the valve can result in this condition in the coronary arteries, leading to chest discomfort
myocardial ischemia
an extra sound heard while listening to the heart through a stethoscope
Heart murmur
This medication might be used if the predominant symptom is angina.
Beta Blockers
most common cause in this country associated with a valve of the heart
congenital birth defect of the aortic valve