Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve, the valve that allows blood to flow from the heart's lower left chamber into the aorta and to the entire body. The narrowing prevents the valve from opening properly, forcing the heart to work harder. This causes pressure to build up in the lower left chamber of the heart, thickening the heart muscle. The pressure can lead to chest pain, blood backup into the lungs, and severe forms of the condition can prevent enough blood from reaching the brain and the rest of the body. Eventually, the pressure can lead to heart failure, fatigue and dizziness. Aortic stenosis can occur when calcium builds up on the valve over several years, making it thick and hard. It also can be caused by a heart defect or infections of the heart that can damage the valve. Aortic stenosis is not common and affects more men than women. It can occur in children less frequently. Severe cases often require surgery.

Why UAB

The UAB Structural Heart & Valve Program is the oldest and largest program of its kind in Alabama. It provides ongoing care – sometimes for life – to patients who have or are at risk for structural heart and valve disease. Our experienced surgeons and cardiologists take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating this condition, and their expertise ranges from traditional open-heart surgery to robotic-assisted valve repair and the latest in minimally invasive surgical techniques, which require only small incisions (cuts).

The UAB Structural Heart & Valve Clinic has achieved several important milestones in the past decade. In 2012, we performed the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in Alabama, and UAB has performed more TAVR procedures than any other hospital in the state. As an added service, patients who have been told by non-UAB doctors that they need valve surgery can speak to a UAB structural heart and valve surgeon for a second opinion.

IMAGES AND VIDEOS

WWII vet and three-time Purple Heart recipient is back on his feet after ambitious heart treatments and procedures.

Transcathether Aortic Valve Replacement procedure puts Selma, Alabama's first black police chief closer to tending his farm.

For patients with aortic valve stenosis, who cannot undergo open heart surgery, the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure provides a welcome alternative.

Patients like Sarah Ford travel to UAB because of the experienced surgeons and cutting-edge care.

Interventional cardiologist, Mark Sasse, MD, and UAB's team of heart and vascular surgeons and physicians provide unique, personalized care at Alabama's only nationally ranked hospital.

Physicians elsewhere said his options were limited, but UAB experts saved this patient's life with this groundbreaking new treatment for aortic valve stenosis.

Heart valve disease affects patients of all ages, but there are effective treatments and lifestyle changes you can make to improve your condition.

Take a video tour of the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic at Acton Road.

UAB’s 500th TAVR procedure gave this retired pastor and baseball player an opportunity to help others.

More about Ernest Tate's life-saving Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Unique heart procedure—transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)--gives 89 year old a new lease on life

CARE PROVIDERS

Constantine L. Athanasuleas, MD

Marc G. Cribbs, MD

James E. Davies Jr., MD

William L. Holman, MD

Massoud Leesar, MD

Mark Sasse, MD

Sara J. Pereira, MD

Lisa Findley, CRNP, DNP

Abbey M. Barrow, CRNP

Mustafa I. Ahmed, MD

Kyle W. Eudailey, MD

Gregory O. Von Mering

Clifton Lewis, Sr., MD

Related Conditions

This procedure may be used to treat or diagnose several different conditions. We have listed some of these conditions below for your convenience. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list and may vary depending on your specific diagnosis.

Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

RELATED SERVICES

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

CLINICAL TRIALS

UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials for the diagnosis and treatment of aortic stenosis. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information.

View Clinical Trials