Aortic Valve Stenosis
Aortic valve stenosis is narrowing of the aortic valve, between the left ventricle and the aorta. It may be congenital, due to fusion of the cusps that make up the valve - particularly if there are only two cusps instead of three - or it may be a result of rheumatic fever in childhood, though this is rare in the Western World. It may cause no symptoms if the degree of stenosis is slight (though antibiotic treatment to prevent endocarditis will be required before surgical procedures including dental treatment). If severe at birth it can cause heart failure. In the older child it can cause reduced exercise tolerance or episodes of loss of consciousness - called syncope. Valve replacement may be required. Stenosis may also affect the other heart valves - the pulmonary, mitral and tricuspid, - but less commonly and, with the exception of severe stenosis of the pulmonary valve in the neonate, where it may be life threatening, with fewer symptoms.
|
