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Stenosis of the Aortic Valve Evaluation

The evaluation of aortic stenosis begins with a medical history and physical examination.

Physical findings in those with aortic stenosis may include:

Heart murmur

Advanced cases of aortic stenosis may reveal signs of congestive heart failure, such as:

Tests are required to make the diagnosis of aortic stenosis.

Tests for aortic stenosis may include:

C-reactive protein
Cholesterol level
Triglyceride level

Additional tests for aortic stenosis may include:

Chest x-ray:

Normal chest x-ray
Heart failure

EKG
Exercise stress test
Cardiac catheterization
Echocardiogram

Less commonly performed tests for aortic stenosis include:

MRI scan of the heart:

Shows detailed images of the heart and coronary arteries
Detects structural abnormalities of the heart

SPECT scanning of the heart:

Detects blood flow abnormalities to heart muscle

Thallium heart scan
Coronary artery CT scanning:

Checks for possible obstructions in the coronary arteries
Can show a build-up of calcium in a coronary artery

MUGA scan

Continue to Stenosis of the Aortic Valve Treatment

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2010 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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PubMed Stenosis of the Aortic Valve References

Boon NA, Bloomfield P.. The medical management of valvar heart disease. Heart. 2002 Apr;87(4):395-400. [11907022]
Graham TP Jr, Driscoll DJ, Gersony WM, Newburger JW, Rocchini A, Towbin JA. Task Force 2: congenital heart disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005 Apr 19;45(8):1326-33. [15837282]
Hughes BR, Chahoud G, Mehta JL. Aortic stenosis: is it simply a degenerative process or an active atherosclerotic process? Clin Cardiol. 2005 Mar;28(3):111-4. [15813615]
Segal BL. Valvular heart disease, Part 1. Diagnosis and surgical management of aortic valve disease in older adults. Geriatrics. 2003 Sep;58(9):31-5. [14518175]