Aortic Valve Disease

Diagnosis of Aortic Valve Disease

To diagnose aortic valve disease, a healthcare professional reviews your medical history, symptoms, and performs a physical exam. A heart murmur, a whooshing sound heard through a stethoscope, may indicate valve problems and often leads to referral to a cardiologist.

Tests commonly used include:

• Echocardiogram: Uses sound waves to create images of the heart and evaluate blood flow through the valves. Types include transthoracic (external) and transesophageal (internal via esophagus) echocardiograms.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): Records the heart’s electrical activity and rhythm.

• Chest X-ray: Detects enlargement of the heart or other lung and heart changes.

• Cardiac MRI: Provides detailed images of the heart and measures the size of the aorta.

• Cardiac CT scan: Offers detailed images of the heart and aorta, measures valve calcium, and evaluates stenosis severity.

• Exercise or stress tests: Assess heart function and valve symptoms during physical activity.

• Cardiac catheterization: Invasive test to measure blood flow and pressure in the heart; may be used if other tests are inconclusive or if intervention is planned.

Staging of Aortic Valve Disease:

• Stage A: At risk, with risk factors present.

• Stage B: Progressive, mild to moderate valve disease without symptoms.

• Stage C: Asymptomatic severe disease.

• Stage D: Symptomatic severe disease causing symptoms.

Treatment of Aortic Valve Disease

Treatment depends on the severity, symptoms, and progression of the disease. Options include monitoring, lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery.

Medications and Lifestyle:

• Monitor blood pressure and prevent complications.

• Treat irregular heartbeats.

• Reduce fluid retention to decrease heart strain.

Surgical and Catheter-Based Procedures:

• Aortic valve repair: Can involve separating fused flaps, adding support, reshaping tissue, or patching holes/tears. Usually requires open-heart surgery, though catheter-based repairs are possible.

• Balloon valvuloplasty: Used in children or adults at high surgical risk; a balloon widens a narrowed valve temporarily.

• Aortic valve replacement: Surgical or minimally invasive approaches replace the diseased valve with a mechanical or tissue valve.

Regular follow-up is essential to monitor valve function, symptoms, and progression. Care at a specialized heart valve center improves outcomes.