Aortic valve stenosis (also known simply as aortic stenosis) is a condition that affects the aortic valve, a part of the heart that plays an important role in how blood is pumped to the body.
The aortic valve connects the heart’s lower left chamber to the body’s largest artery, the aorta. As it opens and closes, it controls the flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
With aortic valve stenosis, the aortic valve may be too narrow or stiff, and missing one or more of the flaps that allow it to open and close properly. As a result, blood can’t flow through the way it’s supposed to. This puts strain on the heart, because it has to work harder than it should to pump blood out to the body.
Aortic valve stenosis is often part of a condition known as left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). It can also occur as part of other heart disorders, like Shone complex or endocardio fibroelastosis (EFE). So it’s important for a team of heart specialists to evaluate the patient to understand exactly what’s going on, make the correct diagnosis, and determine the right care. Connecticut Children’s Heart Center specializes in this team approach, and uses advanced cardiac imaging for a detailed diagnosis.