Cardiovascular system >>>> Acquired narrowing of the aortic orifice - what is it?

Acquired narrowing of the aortic orifice - what is it?

Narrowing of the aortic orifice (or aortic stenosis) can be an acquired condition. However, congenital anomalies of the aortic valve and orifice also occur.

The cause of acquired narrowing of the aortic orifice is most often the following diseases: atherosclerosis of the vascular walls, which also affects the aortic structures, rheumatism, or infective endocarditis. Blunt chest trauma to the aortic region, rib injury (or acquired rib curvature) can also be a cause.

Acquired narrowing of the aortic orifice leads to a slow heart rate and circulatory impairment. This, in turn, can lead to the development of severe circulatory failure and coronary insufficiency.

For a person, a signal of narrowing of the aortic orifice may be the development of persistent pain in the upper third of the sternum, which occurs with excessive physical exertion (fast walking, running, vigorous exercise, climbing stairs). The pain can last for quite a long time (half an hour or more, up to several days or weeks). Aortic stenosis is detected by X-ray or CT scan. However, an ECG shows no signs of aortic stenosis. Pain signaling a change in the lumen of the aortic ostium may resemble pain in the esophagus or stomach. However, unlike pain in the digestive organs, it is not associated with eating, but rather with physical exertion, after or during which large volumes of blood are forced through the aorta. Aortic stenosis leads to limited physical activity and reduced work capacity.

Although there are therapeutic approaches to treating aortic stenosis that involve addressing the underlying conditions, drug therapy relieves symptoms but does not reverse the persistent structural changes in the aortic stenosis. Surgical treatment is the most effective.

In cases of surgical treatment of aortic stenosis, artificial aortic valve implantation and balloon valvuloplasty are performed. Severe circulatory failure or coronary insufficiency is a contraindication to surgical treatment of aortic stenosis.