aetiology
Last reviewed 01/2018
Classification:
- true congenital aortic stenosis:
- the stenosis is manifest from birth
- there is a small hole in a domed valve
- calcification of congenitally deformed valve:
- premature calcification of a bicuspid aortic valve is the commonest cause of aortic stenosis
- it is usually asymptomatic during the first three decades of life during which it may be diagnosed after hearing an aortic ejection sound and a soft ejection murmur
- symptoms may begin in fourth decade of life
- rarely, the congenital deformity may be a unicuspid valve
- senile aortic stenosis:
- aortic cusp sclerosis occurs when calcium deposition spreads form the hinge areas of three otherwise normal cusps causing stenosis
- patients are usually elderly - in their 70's
- rheumatic fusion of the valve commissures and thickening of cusps:
- usually accompanied by aortic regurgitation and mitral valve involvement
- it accounts for about 10% of acquired aortic stenosis