Aortic Stenosis diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms, review your medical history, and conduct a physical examination to assess your overall health. They will listen to your heartbeat to check for irregularities, which can indicate aortic valve stenosis. To understand the cause of your problem and make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may perform several tests, including the following:

Echocardiogram: Uses sound waves to create images of the heart, allowing the doctor to see the aortic valve's structure and function. It analyses blood flow, aortic valve, and heart chambers. A transesophageal echocardiogram offers a closer look at the aortic valve.

Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures electrical activity of the heart, identifying abnormal heart rhythms and enlarged heart chambers.

Chest X-ray: Examines the size and shape of the heart and the condition of the lungs. It detects calcium buildup on the aortic valve and an enlarged aorta.

Cardiac MRI: Produces detailed images of the heart to determine aorta size and severity of heart valve condition.

Cardiac CT scan: Provides detailed heart and valve images, checking the aorta's size and examining the aortic valve.

Cardiac Catheterisation: Evaluates condition severity using a catheter to perform a coronary angiogram, measure heart function, and check pressure inside heart chambers.

Stress Test (Exercise Test): Determines the presence of symptoms during physical activity, assesses severity of the aortic valve condition, and guides treatment.

These tests help the doctor determine the severity of your condition and the best course of treatment.

Aortic Stenosis treatment

The treatment for Aortic Stenosis depends on the severity of the condition and the presence of symptoms. Your doctor will assess whether your condition is stable or progressively worsening. If the symptoms are mild or non-existent, your doctor may choose to monitor your condition through regular tests. Recommendations may include lifestyle changes to improve health and reduce symptoms, and tips to minimize complications.

For individuals with severe Aortic Stenosis, surgery is often necessary. Some asymptomatic patients may also require cardiac surgery, especially if they are undergoing surgery for another heart condition. The main surgical options for severe Aortic Stenosis are:

1. Aortic Valve Repair:

Involves separating the cusps of the valve that may be tightly fused together.
More common in children

2. Aortic Valve Replacement:

Involves removing the damaged valve and replacing it with a biological tissue valve or a mechanical valve.
Biological tissue valves, made from human, pig, or cow tissue, need replacement over time due to degeneration.
Mechanical valves require lifelong use of blood thinners.

3. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR):

Recommended for patients at higher risk of complications from traditional valve replacement surgery.
A catheter is inserted through the chest or leg to guide the new valve to the heart.
The valve can expand either by itself or with the help of a balloon.

4. Balloon Valvuloplasty:

Involves using a catheter with a balloon at the tip to open the valve.
The catheter is guided to the aortic valve through an artery in the groin or arm, and the balloon is inflated to open the valve.
Often recommended for children and infants but can also be helpful for adults.

5. Aortic Root and Ascending Aorta Surgery:

Removes the enlarged section of the aorta and replaces it with a synthetic tube graft.
May involve repairing or replacing the aortic valve.
Sometimes only the enlarged aorta section is replaced, leaving the aortic valve intact.

The best treatment option for you will be determined through a discussion with your doctor, considering the pros and cons, requirements, and costs of the treatments. Weighing these factors carefully will help you make an informed decision about your healthcare.