This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlightinga common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategiesis then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines,when they exist. The article ends with the author's clinicalrecommendations.
A 60-year-old man is evaluated for a heart murmur. He jogs 3mi (5 km) per day and is asymptomatic. Physical examinationreveals a delayed carotid upstroke, a 3/6 late-peaking systolicejection murmur that radiates to the neck, and a single S2.An echocardiogram shows normal systolic function and a heavilycalcified aortic valve. The patient's peak Doppler transvalvulargradient is . . . [Full Text of this Article]
The Clinical Problem
Strategies and Evidence
Areas of Uncertainty
Management of Severe Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis
Treatment of the Patient with a Low Gradient and Reduced Ejection Fraction
Safety of Cardiac Surgery in Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Aortic Stenosis
Safety of Noncardiac Surgery in Patients with Severe Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis
Ability to Slow or Halt Progression of the Valve Lesion
Guidelines
Conclusions and Recommendations
Source Information
From the Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston.
Address reprint requests to Dr. Carabello at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Medical Service (111), 2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, or at blaseanthony.carabello@med.va.gov.
References
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