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Aortic Stenosis
What is it?
Aortic stenosis (pronounced a-or-tik sten o sis) is the narrowing or blocking of the heart's aorta. The aorta is the artery that carries blood from the heart to the body.
Stenosis can happen at one of three places — a narrowing above the aortic valve, below the aortic valve or within the valve.
The left ventricle has to pump harder to push blood through the narrowed valve or aorta.
How is it treated?
Treatment may be done in the catheterization lab using a balloon procedure. A balloon is inserted in the valve. When the balloon is inflated, the valve is stretched open. Then, the balloon is removed.