Ask a Texas Heart Institute Doctor
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Question:
What are my options for treatment of my aortic valve stenosis?
I am a 61 year old female recently diagnosed (from a routine physical) with congenital aortic valve stenosis and enlargement of the aortic root. I am asymptomatic and have spent the last 2 weeks trying to find any symptoms! Per my 2D-echo, I have "mild concentric left ventricular hypertrophy with normal systolic function. Estimated left ventricular ejection fraction of 70%. The aortic valve appears to be congenitally bicuspid and demonstrates severe valvular aortic stenosis with a peak transvalvular gradient of 90 mmHg and calculated aortic valve of 0.6cm2. The ascending aorta is moderately dilated." My cardiologist tells me I face aortic root and valve replacement within 2 years or less. I would like to know if there are any other options available and /or if there are any research projects available, specifically along the line of stem cell therapy for this type of diagnosis. I am a Registered Nurse working full time in a Neuro Critical Care Unit. Heart valve problems seem to be genetic from my father’s family as I have multiple cousins who have had issues - they are all older than I am. I have looked at the different programs on the website for the Texas Heart Institute and found it a wonderful resource. Thank you for your time and I will be waiting for your response.
submitted by Wanda from Kansas on 10/14/2012
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiovascular surgeon, J. Michael Duncan, MD 
These results show severe aortic stenosis based on the aortic valve area and by the transvalvular pressure gradient. Patients with a bicuspid aortic valve are more likely to have a dilated ascending aorta and this may need to be replaced if it approaches 5 cm in diameter. Although asymptomatic at present, people with these findings are at risk for a sudden death event because of the severity of the stenosis. If you were my patient, I would recommend surgery in the near future.
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Updated October 2012
