What Are the Treatments for Aortic Valve Stenosis?

The aorta receives blood from the left ventricle through the aortic valve and distributes the blood to the rest of the body. Aortic valve stenosis is a condition where the aortic valve does not open wide enough for blood to pass through it. Rheumatic fever is one cause of aortic valve stenosis. Symptoms of aortic valve stenosis are shortness of breath, fainting and chest pain. Drugs are used to manage, but not cure, aortic valve stenosis.

Monitoring

• Patients medically diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis who show mild symptoms, such as being tired, or no symptoms at all should be advised to avoid strenuous sports and need to be monitored by their health care provider.

Diuretics

• Blood flow out of the heart is impeded in aortic valve stenosis, causing blood to back up into the heart and subsequently to the rest of the body. This causes fluid retention, as evidenced by swelling of the legs. Fluid retention can be treated with a group of medications called diuretics. These medications promote fluid removal through urination.

Nitrates

• Chest pain or angina is another symptom of aortic valve stenosis. This squeezing, crushing type of chest pain is associated with heart problems. A class of medications called nitrates can be used to reduce this pain.

Antibiotics

• Bacteria can be introduced into the blood stream during dental procedures or invasive surgery. A patient with aortic valve stenosis is at risk for developing heart infections if he undergoes any of these procedures. Contracting a heart infection may lead to further damage of aortic valves. Therefore, he should be given antibiotic preventive treatment before any invasive or dental procedures to reduce his risk of developing an infection.

Digitalis Glycosides

• The heart can beat irregularly in aortic valve stenosis. Digitalis glycosides can be given to the patient with symptoms of irregular heart beats to increase the ability of the heart muscle to contract properly.

Surgery

• For patients who qualify, surgery is the most effective treatment for aortic valve stenosis. Patients may not qualify for surgical treatment based on age, lifestyle, general health and if they have co-existing diseases. Surgery is recommended when medications are no longer effective and a patient shows severe symptoms of this condition, including heart failure, shortness of breath, fainting, and chest pain. Surgical treatment may involve balloon valvuloplasty or valve replacement.