Aortic valve stenosis, also known as aortic stenosis, occurs when there is a stenosis in the aortic valve located between the heart and the aortic vessel. Due to this stenosis, the valve cannot open and close properly, and this may pave the way for more serious heart problems unless treated. It is a disorder that can have serious and devastating consequences; However, with early diagnosis and treatment, the problem can often be controlled. You can read the rest of the article to learn more about aortic valve stenosis, which can occur due to multiple reasons.
What is Aortic Valve Stenosis?
The heart has four valves that help control blood circulation in the body and ensure blood flow. Sometimes, damage to these valves may occur for different reasons. Aortic stenosis, a type of heart disease, occurs when the valve between the left ventricle, the lower left chamber of the heart, and the aorta, the main artery of the body, narrows. Due to this narrowing, blood flow cannot be ensured fully and the heart has to work harder to pump the amount of blood the body needs. In some cases, the stenosis may be more serious and the flow of blood to the body is blocked. In this case, more serious life-threatening problems occur. Since there is no blood flow to the body, the oxygen level of tissues and organs decreases and vital functions are endangered. This condition, which can manifest itself with symptoms such as pain in the chest or shortness of breath, requires urgent intervention. Aortic valve stenosis, one of the most common and serious valve diseases, can be congenital or develop later.
Causes of Aortic Valve Stenosis
Aortic valve stenosis, one of the common and serious valve disease problems, often occurs secondary to an underlying disease. Some genetic factors and health conditions may cause aortic valve function to deteriorate, predisposing to the development of stenosis. Some of these factors can be listed as follows:
- Genetics: Aortic valve stenosis may be congenital. A normal aortic valve consists of three leaflets that fit tightly together. However, sometimes the wings of a newborn baby’s aortic valve may contain two or four leaflets. Additionally, sometimes these valves may be too thick to open and close completely. In such cases, although the heart works smoothly at first, various complications will occur over time. These types of congenital heart defects are treated by surgically repairing or replacing the heart valve.
- Rheumatic fever: Rheumatic fever, which can affect many parts of the body, is one of the most common causes of heart valve problems. Particularly affected organs; They can be listed as brain, heart, joints and skin. Rheumatic fever, caused by a bacterium called Strep A, is an infectious disease and can affect the aortic valve, predisposing it to stenosis.
- Calcification of the valves: Aortic valve stenosis is a problem that often occurs with aging. Aortic valve stenosis, which develops due to aging, occurs due to calcification and scarring of the aortic valve over time. The cause of this calcification is the accumulation of excess calcium in the aortic valves. Calcium deposits can negatively affect the aortic valves in general and prevent the valves from opening and closing properly.
Aortic Valve Stenosis Symptoms
Aortic valve stenosis may not cause any signs or symptoms in the initial stage. As the disease progresses, various symptoms begin to appear in the body. As aortic valve stenosis progresses, the symptoms experienced can be serious. Some of the symptoms that may occur due to aortic valve stenosis can be listed as follows:
- Chest pain as the heart will have difficulty pumping the blood it needs to the body due to the damaged heart valve.
- Fatigue quickly when exercising or exerting
- Shortness of breath, especially after exertion
- Heart palpitations or abnormal heartbeats
- Abnormal aortic stenosis murmur while the heart is beating. A murmur is an extra sound between normal heartbeats.
- dizziness
- Fainting
- Extreme fatigue and feeling of exhaustion
Aortic Stenosis in Babies and Children
Since aortic stenosis is a congenital heart defect, it can be seen in newborn babies. Aortic stenosis in babies can occur alone or with other heart problems. Aortic stenosis in infants and children may cause different symptoms or no symptoms compared to adults. Symptoms that can be seen in babies and children can be listed as follows:
- Problems with nutrition and weight gain
- getting tired easily
- chest pain
- dizziness
- Fainting
- Shortness of breath
In cases of severe aortic valve stenosis, a baby may experience severe breathing difficulties that occur within days after birth. Although some cases seem mild at first, they can become serious as the child gets older. Therefore, controlling aortic valve stenosis in babies early can prevent the development of more serious heart problems. Aortic stenosis surgery can be performed in babies to effectively solve this problem.
Aortic Valve Stenosis Treatment
Although the symptoms of aortic valve stenosis are not noticed at first, they may manifest themselves in the later stages of the disease. To effectively treat aortic valve stenosis, the level and severity of the disease must first be diagnosed. The cardiologist, who is an expert in his field, can examine the situation in detail with a comprehensive physical examination and various tests. It collects information for diagnosis by learning the patient’s medical history and whether there is a family history of heart disease. If the doctor detects any problems with the heart, he or she may want to do more tests for a more comprehensive and detailed examination. The following methods can be used to diagnose aortic valve stenosis:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) : This device, which uses a magnetic field and radio waves to examine the heart and blood vessels in detail, has large magnets inside. Thanks to these large magnets, a detailed image of the body is obtained.
- Computed Tomography Device (CT) : This device combines images taken from different angles of the body into a single image and works by using x-rays. It can help to examine the heart and its vessels in detail.
- Chest X-ray: Detailed images of the chest area are obtained using X-rays. In this way, possible changes in the heart and cardiovascular vessels can be noticed.
- Echocardiography (ECHO): This device, which allows the examination of the internal structure and function of the heart using sound waves, can provide a detailed graphic with the help of transmitting devices called transducers placed in various parts of the chest wall.
- Cardiac Catheterization : In this method used to detect any blockage in the heart vessels, a special dye administered to the heart and vessels is monitored with x-rays.
Diagnosed aortic stenosis can be treated by various methods. These methods can be listed as follows:
- Medications: There is no medication that definitively treats aortic valve stenosis. Because once aortic valve stenosis occurs, it cannot be reversed with these medications. However, the symptoms caused by aortic valve stenosis can be controlled with the help of medications. The doctor may prescribe medication, especially to reduce the load on the heart.
- Surgery: Since severe aortic stenosis negatively affects the patient’s quality of life, the doctor may recommend surgery to the patient. This procedure involves repairing or replacing the damaged aortic valve. Aortic stenosis surgery can be performed with minimal surgery or an open surgery procedure. Minimal surgery often takes less time and causes less blood loss than open-heart surgery. Additionally, the recovery time is shorter than open heart surgery. Generally, minimal surgery is performed in valve repair. However, in some cases the cover may need to be changed. In such cases, open heart surgery may be required.
If you think you or your family have symptoms of aortic stenosis, do not forget to consult a healthcare provider for early diagnosis and treatment.
