Paediatrics: Aortic Valve Stenosis: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️ FREE MSRA PODCAST – Aortic Valve Stenosis (AVS)🎧 A clear, high-yield breakdown of this common congenital/acquired valve disorder – perfect for exam prep and real-life clinical scenarios.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) = narrowing of the aortic valve, restricting blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.• Leads to pressure overload and progressive heart strain.📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Congenital: Bicuspid aortic valve, genetic syndromes (e.g. Turner syndrome)• Acquired: – Age-related calcification (most common in elderly) – Rheumatic fever – Infective endocarditis – Chest radiation• Mnemonic: “CALC-R” – Congenital, Age, Late rheumatic, Cardiac infection, Radiation📌 Pathophysiology• Valve narrowing increases resistance → left ventricle hypertrophies to compensate• Over time, this leads to diastolic dysfunction and heart failure• Obstruction leads to reduced cardiac output, especially during exertion📌 Symptoms• Classic triad: 1. Chest pain (angina) 2. Dyspnoea (on exertion) 3. Syncope (fainting)• Also: Fatigue, palpitations, poor feeding or failure to thrive in infants📌 Differential Diagnosis• Aortic sclerosis• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy• Sub/supravalvular stenosis• Pulmonary stenosis• Flow murmurs (anaemia, thyrotoxicosis)📌 Diagnosis• Echocardiography: Key tool for valve structure/function & flow gradient• ECG: LV hypertrophy or strain• Chest X-ray: May show cardiomegaly, calcification• BNP levels: Prognostic value• Exercise testing: Caution – only in selected asymptomatic cases• MSCT or cardiac MRI: Further structural detail• Cardiac catheterisation: Gold standard for pressure gradient and coronary assessment📌 Management• Based on severity + symptoms• Symptomatic severe AVS: Requires intervention – Surgical AVR (SAVR) or TAVI• Asymptomatic severe AVS: Monitor with regular echo unless red flags (LV dysfunction, raised BNP, abnormal stress test)• Medical therapy: For comorbidities (HTN, CAD), not for AVS progression• Balloon valvuloplasty: Temporary or palliative use• Long-term follow-up essential; timing of surgery is critical📌 Complications• Heart failure• Arrhythmias (e.g. AF)• Endocarditis• Sudden cardiac death• Stroke/systemic emboli📌 Prognosis• Untreated symptomatic AVS: Poor – <50% 5-year survival• Post-AVR/TAVI: Marked symptom relief and survival close to age-matched peers• Delayed intervention = worse outcomes• Regular surveillance crucial for asymptomatic patients📎 More MSRA Resources for Aortic Valve Stenosis📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/aortic-valve-stenosis-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/aortic-valve-stenosis-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/aortic-valve-stenosis-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/aortic-valve-stenosis-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/paediatrics-for-the-msra/🧪 Quiz Bank: https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/aortic-valve-stenosis/#MSRA #MSRARevision #MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQ&ANotes #MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialityRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision #MSRARevisionWebsite #Paediatrics #AorticValveStenosis #AVS #ValveDisease #Echo #TAVI #SAVR