Aortic stenosis

Abstract

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a narrowing of the aortic valves. AS can be congenital or acquired, and the incidence increases with age. Bicuspid aortic valve is often associated with other cardiac and aortic anomalies. Clinically, patients can be asymptomatic or symptomatic (mainly in advanced stage). Echocardiography, exercise test, MSCT and MR are non-invasive methods of choice. Assessment of stenosis severity is very important, especially in low transvalvular gradient. Surgical valve replacement is performed with biological or mechanical valves; another, less invasive method is transcatheter aortic replacement (TAVI).