[Diagnosis and assessment of severity of aortic valve stenosis]

Herz. 2006 Oct;31(7):644-9. doi: 10.1007/s00059-006-2883-x.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Calcific aortic valve stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease in the elderly. Although the diagnosis can often be assumed at clinical presentation, determination of the disease severity is usually not accurately possible based on patient history and physical examination alone. In the past, invasive cardiac catheterization has been the most important strategy for assessing the hemodynamic severity of aortic stenosis. Nowadays, Doppler echocardiography has largely replaced invasive catheterization in many centers, since this modality allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the morphological and functional characteristics of the stenotic valve and for assessment of the prognosis of the disease. This article summarizes the current knowledge on the evaluation of aortic stenosis severity using Doppler echocardiography.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / classification
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / physiopathology
  • Echocardiography, Doppler
  • Echocardiography, Stress
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Models, Cardiovascular
  • Prognosis
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / diagnostic imaging
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / physiopathology