Aortic Valve Stenosis (AVS)

In the outpatient setting older adults are often informed they have Aortic Valve Stenosis (AVS) but they are unaware that they have problem. They do not feel short of breath except maybe with significant exertion however their Echocardiogram indicts there is AVS. AVS is the third most common cardiovascular disease and frequently effects older individuals (Akerstrom, Barderas & Rodriquez-Padial, 2013). AVS is a progressive disease which does not show significant problems until greater than 50% of its capacity is lost and compensatory mechanisms are established (Akerstrom, Barderas & Rodriquez-Padial, 2013). There are three main causes, congenital, rheumatic fever and calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). This review will look only at CAVD. AVS is influenced by metabolic imbalances, common cardiac risk factors, genetics and hemodynamic stressors. There is no single treatment for prevention or care of an individual with AVS, rather …show more content…
The valvular endothelial cells (VEC) which is part of the blood containing surface, on both the inflow and outflow side of the valve. The valvular interstitial cells (VIC) which are present in all layers, and effects the plasticity of the value. The VIC cells are complex, have fibroblast characteristics but also thought to be broken down into five phenotype groups. One of which is osteoblast, and is involved in the calcification of the valve (Akerstrom, Barderas & Rodriquez-Padial, 2013). The three layers to the valve are the fibrosa, spongiosa and venticularis. The fibrosa is on the outflow (aortic) side has collagen and provides strength while the venticularis is on the inflow (ventricular) side and is rich in elastin. In the center is the spongiosa which is loose connective tissue which permits rearrangements of the cells during each cardiac cycle (Akerstrom, Barderas & Rodriquez-Padial,