Aortic Stenosis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Aortic valve stenosis is also called aortic stenosis or AS. It is a disease of the aortic valve in the heart. The aortic valve lies between the left ventricle (lower chamber or a room in your heart) and the aorta. The aorta supplies blood to your head and your body, including the heart muscles. Aortic stenosis occurs when the cusps (flaps) of the aortic valve get thicker and stiffer. This causes the valve opening to get smaller. The smaller opening makes it difficult for blood to be pumped out into the aorta.
  
  
• Some people with aortic stenosis were born with a problem in their aortic valve. Aortic stenosis can also be caused by calcium building up on the cusps or by an infection called rheumatic fever. Symptoms may not occur until the stenosis gets bad. You may begin to feel chest pains, dizziness or fainting, and shortness of breath. Care for aortic stenosis includes tests to watch for worsening valve disease, medicines, and diet changes. Most people with aortic stenosis will eventually need aortic valve surgery.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Aortic valve stenosis may cause endocarditis. Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart. This occurs when a germ called bacteria gets lodged (stuck) in the stenotic valves. Aortic stenosis can also cause congestive heart failure or CHF. CHF happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood for the body. This may cause irregular heartbeats and cardiac arrest (the heart stops beating).

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Rest:

Keep the head of your bed raised to help you breathe easier. You can also raise your head and shoulders up on pillows or rest in a reclining chair. If you feel short of breath, let caregivers know right away.

Blood tests:

You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.

Oxygen:

You may need extra oxygen if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your caregiver before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.

Special positions while sleeping:

You may have trouble breathing when lying down. Sleeping in a position with your upper body raised may help you breathe easier. You can use foam wedges or elevate the head of your bed. There are many devices that you can buy to help raise your upper body while in bed. Use a device that will tilt your whole body, or bend your body at the waist. The device should not bend your body at the upper back or neck.

Medicine:

Medicines are given to prevent further damage to the aortic valve that may lead to other problems. You may be given any of the following:

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Aspirin: This medicine may be given to help thin the blood to keep blood clots from forming. This medicine makes it more likely for you to bleed or bruise.
  
  
• Cholesterol medicine: This type of medicine is given to help decrease (lower) the amount of cholesterol (fat) in your blood.
  
  
• Diuretics: This medicine is given to decrease edema (excess fluid) that collects in a part of your body, such as your legs. Diuretics can also remove excess fluid from around your heart or lungs and decrease your blood pressure. It is often called water pills. You may urinate more often when you take this medicine.
  
  
• Heart medicine: This medicine is given to strengthen or regulate your heartbeat. It also may help your heart in other ways. Talk with your caregiver to find out what your heart medicine is and why you are taking it.

Tests:

You may have any of the following:

• Heart monitor: This test is also called an EKG or ECG. Sticky pads are placed on your skin to record your heart's electrical activity. An EKG gives information about how your heart is working. Lie as still as possible during the test.
  
  
• Cardiac blood pool imaging: This test shows how well your heart is pumping. It can also be called a "gated blood pool scan" or a MUGA scan. You are given a small, safe amount of radioactive dye in an IV. Caregivers then take pictures of your heart.
  
  
• Cardiac catheterization: This is a procedure done to find the cause of and treat a heart condition. A thin, bendable tube inserted into an arm, neck, or groin vein is moved into your heart. Your caregiver may use an x-ray to guide the tube to the right place. Dye (contrast) may be put into your vein so the pictures show up better on a monitor.
  
  
• Echocardiogram: This test is a type of ultrasound. Sound waves are used to show the structure, movement, and blood vessels of your heart.
  
  
• Exercise stress test: This test helps caregivers see the changes that take place in your heart during exercise. It checks for blockages in the arteries of your heart. An EKG is done while you ride an exercise bike or walk on a treadmill. Caregivers will ask you how you are feeling during the test. They want to know if you have chest pain or trouble breathing.

Treatment:

Surgery is the only treatment to cure aortic stenosis. These procedures may include an aortic valve replacement, aortic valve repair or aortic balloon valvuloplasty. Ask your caregiver for more information about these procedures.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Aortic Stenosis (Inpatient Care)