Cardiology Flashcards
What are the components of the aortic valve?
Three valve leaflets.
Three commissures.
One annulus.
What is the normal surface area of the aortic valve?
3–4 cm².
What is aortic stenosis (AS)?
Narrowing of the aortic valve orifice, leading to restricted blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
What are the common causes of aortic stenosis by age?
Young age: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV).
Elderly: Degenerative calcification and aortic sclerosis.
Rare cause: Rheumatic heart disease.
What is the prevalence of aortic stenosis in the elderly?
Ages 65–75: 2.4%.
Ages 75–85: 4%.
Ages >85: 10%.
What is the pathophysiology of aortic stenosis?
Valve myofibroblasts differentiate into osteoblasts → Calcium hydroxyapatite deposition.
Inflammation and lipoprotein activation.
RAAS activation.
Compensatory concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
What are the stages of aortic stenosis based on severity?
Mild/Moderate AS: Asymptomatic with LVH.
Severe AS: Symptomatic with valve area <1 cm², mean gradient >40 mmHg, peak velocity >4 m/s.
Very Severe AS: LV systolic dysfunction with significant cardiac output reduction.
What are the symptoms of severe aortic stenosis, and what is the associated prognosis?
Symptoms: Angina, syncope, dyspnea.
Prognosis without treatment:
Angina: Death within 5 years.
Syncope: Death within 3 years.
Dyspnea: Death within 2 years.
What is the most common congenital valve defect, and what complications are associated with it?
Defect: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV).
Complications: Aortic stenosis (75%), aortic regurgitation (20%), ascending aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection.
What are the key diagnostic features of severe aortic stenosis?
Slow-rising pulse (Pulsus tardus).
Narrow pulse pressure.
Harsh ejection systolic murmur radiating to the carotids.
S4 gallop.
How is aortic stenosis severity classified using echocardiography?
Mild AS:
Mean gradient <25 mmHg.
Peak velocity <2.5 m/s.
Severe AS:
Mean gradient >40 mmHg.
Peak velocity >4 m/s.
Valve area <1 cm².
What are the treatment options for aortic stenosis?
Medical management: For asymptomatic and mild AS.
Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR):
Indications: Symptomatic AS, EF <50%, or rapid disease progression.
Types:
Mechanical valves (lifelong warfarin therapy).
Bioprosthetic valves (last 12–15 years, no anticoagulation).
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI): For high-risk surgical patients.
Balloon Valvuloplasty: Temporary relief in select patients.
What is the role of a dobutamine stress echocardiogram in AS?
Differentiates true severe AS (low flow, low gradient) from pseudo-severe AS by assessing stroke volume and pressure gradient.
What are the complications associated with bicuspid aortic valves?
Aortic stenosis.
Aortic regurgitation.
Ascending aortic aneurysm.
Aortic dissection.
What are aortic stenosis mimickers?
Supravalvular AS: Seen in children with Williams syndrome.
Subvalvular AS: Associated with subvalvular membranes or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
What is the characteristic murmur of aortic stenosis?
Harsh, rasping, ejection systolic murmur.
Radiates to the carotids.
Best heard at the 2nd right intercostal space.
What are the root causes of chronic aortic regurgitation?
Aortic root diseases: Aortic dissection, Marfan syndrome, Syphilis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter syndrome, Osteogenesis imperfecta.
What are the valvular causes of chronic aortic regurgitation?
Rheumatic heart disease (less common), Bicuspid aortic valve, Infective endocarditis, Trauma.
What happens during diastole in aortic regurgitation?
Blood flows back from the aorta into the left ventricle (LV), causing volume overload.
What compensatory mechanism occurs in chronic aortic regurgitation?
Eccentric hypertrophy (LV dilatation) to accommodate the increased end-diastolic volume. The LV increases stroke volume to maintain cardiac output.
What are the hemodynamic changes in chronic aortic regurgitation?
Increased preload and afterload.
High end-diastolic volume (EDV) and stroke volume.
Systolic BP increases, while diastolic BP decreases → Wide pulse pressure.
What occurs in very severe aortic regurgitation?
LV failure. Progressive reduction in cardiac output. Symptoms of heart failure (e.g., dyspnea, fatigue).
What are the key symptoms in mild-to-moderate aortic regurgitation?
Palpitations. Cardiomegaly (in moderate cases).
What symptoms occur in severe aortic regurgitation?
Wide pulse pressure due to high systolic and low diastolic pressure. Nocturnal angina due to reduced coronary perfusion during diastole.
What are the characteristic pulse findings in chronic aortic regurgitation?
Hyperkinetic pulse (Collapsing pulse/Water hammer pulse). Specific signs: Corrigan’s pulse, Hill’s sign.
What are other notable peripheral signs of aortic regurgitation?
Becker’s sign, Landolfi’s sign, Rosenbach’s sign, Quincke’s sign, De Musset’s sign, Traube’s sign, Duroziez’s sign.
What are the characteristics of the murmur in aortic regurgitation?
Early diastolic murmur: High-pitched, decrescendo, blowing murmur. Best heard in the 3rd intercostal space (left sternal border). Austin Flint murmur: Low-pitched mid-diastolic murmur at the apex.
What are the causes of acute aortic regurgitation?
Infective endocarditis, Aortic dissection, Trauma.
How does acute aortic regurgitation differ from chronic aortic regurgitation?
Acute AR: Rapid increase in left ventricular diastolic pressure, pulmonary edema, and cardiogenic shock. Chronic AR: Gradual LV dilatation and compensation.
What murmur is heard in acute aortic regurgitation?
Low-pitched early diastolic murmur.