Ch283 Aortic Valve Disease Flashcards
Dominant cause of valvular heart disease in developing and low-income countries
Rheumatic fever
T or F: Prevalence of valvular heart disease increases with age for both men and women.
True
T or F: 80% of adult patients with symptomatic, valvular AS are female.
False.
MALE
In adults, due to degenerative calcification of the aortic cusps; however occurs most commonly on congenital disease (bicuspid aortic valve), chronic (trileaflet) deterioration, or prev rheumatic inflammation
Aortic stenosis
Conditions linked to development of calcific AS
- Vascular atherosclerosis
- Genetic polymorphisms (vitamin D receptor)
- Estrogen receptor in postmenopausal women
- Interleukin 10
- Apolipoprotein E4
- Familial
Thickening and calcification of leaflets not severe enough to cause obstruction
Aortic valve sclerosis
Most common congenital heart valve defect with 2-4:1 male-to-female predominance
Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)
Gene associated with the development of bicuspid aortic valve
NOTCH1 gene
Causes of obstruction to left ventricular outflow
- Valvular AS
- Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
- Discrete fibromuscular/membranous subaortic stenosis
- Supravalvular AS
Cardiac examination and 2D echo differentiates these
Defines severe obstruction to LV outflow
Mean systolic pressure gradient >40mmHg with normal CO or
An effective aortic orifice area of approx <1 cm2 (approx <0.6cm2/m2 bsa in normal sized adult)
T or F: Severe AS may exist for many years without producing any symptoms.
True
Due to the ability of the hypertrophied LV to generate the elevated intraventricular pressures required to maintain a normal stroke volume
3 Cardinal symptoms of AS
- Exertional dyspnea
- Angina pectoris
- Syncope
T or F: Orthopnea, PND and pulmonary edema occur during advanced stages of AS
True
Physical finding in AS wherein the carotid arterial pulse rises slowly to a delayed peak
Pulsus parvus et tardus
T or F: A systolic thrill may be present in AS at the base of the heart to the right of sternum when leaning forward or in suprasternal notch
True
Etiologies of aortic stenosis
- Congenital (bicuspid, unicuspid)
- Degenerative calcific
- Rheumatic fever
- Radiation
T or F: Fixed splitting of S2 is a cardiac finding in AS
False
Paradoxical splitting of S2
Murmur of AS
Ejection (mid) systolic murmur that commences shortly after S1, increases in intensity to reach a peak toward the middle ejection, and ends just before aortic valve closure
Characteristics of the mumur in AS
- Low pitched
- Rough and rasping
- Loudest at the base of heart, most commonly in 2nd right ICS
- Atleast grade III/VI
ECG findings that can be present in patients with AS
- LV hypertrophy
- ST segment depression
- T wave inversion (LV strain) in leads I, AVL, left precordial leads
TTE key findings in AS
Thickening, calcification, reduced systolic opening of valve leaflets and LV hypertrophy
Severity of AS according to aortic valve area
Severe AS: <1cm2
Moderate AS: 1 - 1.5cm2
Mild AS: 1.5 - 2cm2
Uses of 2D echo in AS
- Identifying coexisting valvular abnormalities
- Differentiating valvular AS from other forms of LV ouflow obstruction
- Measurement of aortic root and proximal ascending aortic dimensions
Chest Xray findings in AS
- May show no or little overall cardiac enlargement initially
- Rounding of cardiac apex in frontal projection and slight backward displacement in lateral view
- LV enlargement
- Pulmonary congestion
- Enlargement of LA, PA, right heart chambers
- Dilated proximal ascending aorta along the upper right heart border in frontal view
Role of catheterization in AS
General: Not frequently done but can be useful when there is discrepancy between the clinical and noninvasive findings
- Patients with multivalvular disease in whom the role played by each valvular deformity should be defined to aid planning of operative treatment
- Young, asymptomatic patients with noncalcific congenital AS to define severity of obstruction to LV outflow because operation or percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty (PABV) may be indicated
- Patients in whom it is suspected that the obstruction to LV outflow may not be at the level of the aortic valve but rather sub or supravalvular level
Indication of coronary angiography in AS
To screen for CAD in appropriate patients with severe AS who are being considered for surgery.
(Incidence of CAD needing bypass grafting exceeds 50% during aortic valve replacement)
Death in AS
- In severe AS: 7th-8th decades
- Symptomatic px <4 years
- Among with valvular AS : sudden death
Annual reduction in valve area, annual increase in peak jet velocity, and mean valve gradient in calcific AS
Annual reduction in valve area: 0.1cm2
Annual increase in peak jet velocity : 0.3meter/s
Mean valve gradient : 7mmHg
Medical treatment for AS
- Severe AS: strenous physical activity and competitive sports should be avoided, even if asymptomatic
- Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors as treatment for HPN or CAD asymptomatic px with preserved LV systolic funtion
- Nitroglycerin for angina
- HMG-COA reductase inhibitors for degenerative calcific AS as treatment and prevention of ASCVD events
- Endocarditis prophylaxis only for AS patients with prior history of endocarditis
Indication for operation in AS
- Severe AS (valve area: <1cm2 or 0.6cm2/m2 bsa) who are symptomatic [CLASS 1 indication]
- Exhibit LV systolic dysfunction (EF <50%)
- BAV disease
- Aneurysmal root or ascending aorta (maximal dimension >5.5cm)
Operation for aneurysm disease
Recommended at smaller aortic diameters (4.5-5.0cm) for px with family history of aortic catastrophe and those who exhibit rapid aneurysm growth (>0.5cm/year)
Operation for asymptomatic moderate or severe AS
For those that needs coronary artery bypass grafting surgery for which aortic valve replacement (AVR) should also be done
Relative indications for AVR in asymptomatic patients
- Abnormal response to treadmill exercise
- Rapid progression of AS
- Very severe AS (aortic vlave jet velocity >5 meter/s or mean gradient >60mmHg and low operative risk
- Excessive LV hypertrophy in absence of systemic hypertension
T or F: Age is a contraindication to AVR for AS
False
Age alone not a contraindication
10 year survival rate of alder adult patients with AVR
60%