[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Conditions](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/) › Aortic Valve Stenosis

[Conditions](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/) · [Chest](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/chest/)

# Aortic Valve Stenosis

Aortic valve stenosis is a narrowing of the valve between the heart and the aorta, which makes the [left ventricle](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/left-ventricle/) work harder to pump blood out.

Updated 2026-10-23

## Structures involved

Tap one to see what it is and open it in 3D.

- [Aortic right coronary cusp](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/right-coronary-leaflet/)
- [Aortic left coronary cusp](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/left-coronary-leaflet/)
- [Aortic non-coronary cusp](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/non-coronary-leaflet-of-aortic-valve/)
- [Left ventricle](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/left-ventricle/)

## In embryology

- [Coarctation of the aorta](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/coarctation-of-the-aorta/)

## In the clinical exam

- [Precordial inspection and palpation: apex beat, heaves and thrills](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/precordial-inspection-and-palpation-apex-beat-heaves-and-thrills/)
- [Cardiac auscultation: the areas and the order](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/cardiac-auscultation-the-areas-and-the-order/)
- [Heart sounds: S1, S2 and its splitting, S3 and S4](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/heart-sounds-s1-s2-and-its-splitting-s3-and-s4/)
- [Murmurs: timing, grade, location and radiation](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/murmurs-timing-grade-location-and-radiation/)
- [Valve murmurs: the table to know](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/valve-murmurs-the-table-to-know/)
- [Dynamic auscultation: Valsalva, squatting, standing and handgrip](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/dynamic-auscultation-valsalva-squatting-standing-and-handgrip/)
- [Abnormal pulses: paradoxus, alternans, parvus et tardus, bounding](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/abnormal-pulses-paradoxus-alternans-parvus-et-tardus-bounding/)
- [Chest pain: ischemic, pericardial, pleural and other patterns](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/chest-pain-ischemic-pericardial-pleural-and-other-patterns/)

## In physiology

- [The cardiac cycle](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/the-cardiac-cycle/)
- [Heart sounds and where they come from](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/heart-sounds-and-where-they-come-from/)
- [The ventricular pressure–volume loop](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/the-ventricular-pressure-volume-loop/)
- [Systolic, diastolic, mean and pulse pressure](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/systolic-diastolic-mean-and-pulse-pressure/)
- [Preload, afterload and contractility](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/preload-afterload-and-contractility/)
- [Flow, pressure and resistance: Poiseuille and turbulent flow](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/flow-pressure-and-resistance-poiseuille-and-turbulent-flow/)
- [Murmurs and the hemodynamics of valve disease](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/murmurs-and-the-hemodynamics-of-valve-disease/)
- [Coronary circulation and myocardial ischemia](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/coronary-circulation-and-myocardial-ischemia/)

## Why it happens

- [Pathologic calcification: dystrophic vs metastatic](https://durgical.com/en/general-pathology/pathologic-calcification-dystrophic-vs-metastatic/)
- [Hypertrophy: physiologic and pathologic](https://durgical.com/en/general-pathology/hypertrophy-physiologic-and-pathologic/)
- [How organs age: normal changes vs disease](https://durgical.com/en/general-pathology/how-organs-age-normal-changes-vs-disease/)
- [The heart wall, valves and conduction tissue](https://durgical.com/en/histology/the-heart-wall-valves-and-conduction-tissue/)

## What it is

Narrowing of the aortic valve opening that obstructs blood flow from the left ventricle.

## Causes

- Age-related calcification (most common in older adults)
- Bicuspid aortic valve (younger patients)
- Rheumatic disease (still an important cause in Latin America, especially in younger adults)

## Symptoms and signs

- Exertional [chest](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/chest/) pain, shortness of breath, or syncope (classic triad in severe cases)
- May be asymptomatic for years

## Diagnosis

**Clinical**
Systolic murmur

**Imaging**
Echocardiography is the key study

## Treatment

**Follow-up**
Regular follow-up when mild or asymptomatic.

**Surgical**
Valve replacement (surgical or transcatheter) for severe symptomatic disease.

## Related conditions

- [Aortic dissection](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/aortic-dissection/)
- [Syphilis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/syphilis/)
- [Heart failure](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/heart-failure/)
- [Stable angina](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/stable-angina/)
- [Rheumatic heart disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rheumatic-heart-disease/)
- [Aortic regurgitation](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/aortic-regurgitation/)
- [Coarctation of the aorta](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/coarctation-of-the-aorta/)

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: [Aortic Stenosis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557628/) (StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf), 2024).

[← All conditions](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/)

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/conditions/aortic-valve-stenosis/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/conditions/aortic-valve-stenosis/