Cardiovascular · UKMLA & AKT
Aortic valve disease
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise aortic valve disease — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Classic triad - SAD (order tracks disease progression):
- Syncope (exertional) - fixed obstruction prevents CO rising → cerebral hypoperfusion; ~2-3 years median survival without intervention
- Angina (exertional) - high O₂ demand in hypertrophied LV + reduced coronary perfusion; ~3-5 years
- Dyspnoea (exertional → rest) - LV failure as compensation is lost; ~1-2 years
Exertional syncope in aortic stenosis: during exercise, peripheral vasodilation occurs but the fixed obstruction prevents cardiac output rising → cerebral perfusion falls → syncope.
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