28 April 2020 Author : Rui Campante Teles The aortic valve is one of the four valves of the heart. It separates the left ventricle from the aorta. In ventricular systole (contraction) it opens and blood flows from the left ventricle to the aorta and then into the systemic circulation. Then, it closes and prevents blood from refluxing in the opposite direction. What is aortic stenosis and what are its symptoms Aortic stenosis is one of the most common diseases of the heart valves. When there is a stenosis, or tightening, the aortic valve does not open completely, it gets narrower, and this prevents the normal flow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta, during ventricular systole (contraction). Aortic stenosis is a serious disease, if it is not detected in time it can have a fatal outcome. The usual symptoms are tiredness, chest pain and fainting. This disease affects about 32 thousand Portuguese, most of them over 70 years old, limiting their abilities and decreasing their quality of life. How the diagnosis is made For the diagnosis of aortic stenosis, the main contributions are from auscultation, echocardiography, and angio-CT, often followed by cardiac catheterization to complete the study, when it is considered that an invasive treatment is necessary. What is the treatment of aortic stenosis The treatment of aortic stenosis involves the implantation of a new heart valve, which can be done by: Conventional surgery; Percutaneous treatment. The choice of the most appropriate treatment for each patient involves a multidisciplinary team made up of different specialists - cardiology, cardiac surgery, anesthesiology, and internal medicine, together with the patient attending physician. What is percutaneous treatment? Percutaneous treatment is a minimally invasive technique known as TAVI, transcatheter aortic valve implantation or percutaneous aortic valve. This procedure is an alternative to conventional cardiac surgery (open chest) to replace the aortic valve. It has advantages and disadvantages in relation to open chest surgery, but, as a general rule, it reduces the risks related to treatment in patients with increased surgical risk. Performing a TAVI lasts approximately 1h30 and the procedure can be done under sedation. Meet the cardiology team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
