Aortic Stenosis: How Narrowing of the Heart Valve Overburdens the Heart

A heart valve can gradually become stiffer and increasingly difficult to open over time. The body manages to compensate for this change for a long while, which is why symptoms often only appear once the condition is already advanced.

This condition is known as aortic stenosis — a narrowing of the valve situated between the left ventricle and the aorta. Due to this narrowing, the heart must work harder to push blood through the reduced opening. In severe cases, symptoms may include breathlessness on exertion, chest pain or a feeling of pressure in the chest, dizziness, fainting, and fatigue.

Cardiac ultrasound remains the primary investigation for determining the severity of the condition and its impact on the heart.

Mild or moderate forms can be monitored periodically. Severe aortic stenosis accompanied by symptoms, however, requires valve replacement. This procedure can be performed either through conventional open-heart surgery or, for eligible patients, through the TAVI procedure — a minimally invasive technique in which the new valve is delivered via a catheter. The choice of method takes into account the patient's age, anatomical characteristics, surgical risk, and the specific circumstances of each individual case.

Article supported by SANADOR, further details at www.sanador.ro.