aortic valve disease

Aortic valve is the last valve in the heart, from where the blood ejects from the heart into the body. It is situated at the junction of the heart and the largest vessels of the body, Aorta. Aortic valve has three cusps normally but in 1to 2% population it has two cusps. When heart contracts aortic valve opens fully and when heart relaxes it closes completely.

(Ref. Fig  Blausen.com staff (29 August 2014). "Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014" )

Aortic stenosis is the disease of the aortic valve where aortic valve does not open fully and there is resistance in the ejection of the blood from the heart into the body. Aortic stenosis can be categorized into Mild AS, Moderate AS and Severe AS depending upon the gravity of the resistance for the blood ejection and the area of the valve compromised.

Fig. Above showed severely calcified stenotic aortic valve.

 Aortic regurgitation occurs when there is problem in the closing of the valve, when heart relaxes in cardiac cycle. Valve does not close completely and some blood leaks in the heart chamber (left ventricle). Depending on the severity of the leakage of the blood in the left ventricle AR is categorized in Mild, Moderate and Severe AR. 

(Ref. Fig  Blausen.com staff (29 August 2014). "Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014" )

 Aortic valve replaced with approach to the heart being cutting of the breast bone (sternum) in midline. 

  In Minimally Invasive approach, Aortic valve is replaced without cutting the breastbone, that is through intercostal space.  No bone is cut, recovery time is less, early discharge from hospital, scar size as less as 2 inches only.

 Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is used to treat only aortic stenosis with good calcium at the valve and annulus. This procedure is reserved for the patient aged above 65 and who are not fit for surgery. It requires deep preop evaluation of the valve for successful outcome.

Fig. ref  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ihjccr.2022.06.003