Cardiovascular · UKMLA & AKT
Aortic valve disease
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
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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