Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a condition in which there is a narrow left ventricular outflow tract caused by failure of the aortic valve to open up completely. The heart has to work harder to pump blood through this tight opening to deliver blood to the rest of the body.

The aortic valve is positioned between the left ventricle and the aorta, the main artery that leaves the heart and supplies blood to the rest of the body. The valve is usually made up of three leaflets and is called a semilunar (SL) valve because of the half-moon–shaped leaflets. Semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic) are positioned between a ventricle and a great vessel (as opposed to an atrioventricular valve between an atrium and a ventricle). When the left ventricle contracts (this is called systole), the leaflets of the aortic valve open and let blood flow out of the left ventricle and into the rest of the body. In AS, the valve leaflets do not open up completely, thus reducing blood flow in systole.

After listening to this Audio Brick, you should be able to:

• Define aortic stenosis (AS).
• List and explain the common causes of AS.
• Describe the common signs and symptoms in patients with AS, and explain why these findings occur.
• Explain how to diagnose AS.
• List the treatment options for AS.
• Describe the indications for valve replacement.

You can also check out the original brick from our Cardiology collection, which is available for free.

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from our Musculoskeletal, Skin, and Connective Tissue collection, which is available for free.

Learn more about Rx Bricks by signing up for a free USMLE-Rx account: www.usmle-rx.com

You will get 5 days of full access to our Rx360+ program, including nearly 800 Rx Bricks.  After the 5-day period, you will still be able to access over 150 free bricks, including the entire collections for Ge