Aortic stenosis — from numbers to decision
Interpret severity. Evaluate AVR indication. Understand the TAVI vs SAVR frame. Built for anesthesiologists and cardiac clinicians managing AS in the perioperative setting.
Use a tool
Aortic Stenosis Severity
ToolClassify severity from AVA, mean gradient, and peak velocity. Identify discordant AS and low-flow low-gradient patterns — moving from raw numbers to clinical pattern.
Aortic Stenosis Intervention
ToolEvaluate AVR indication and frame the TAVI vs SAVR decision. Class-based output aligned with ACC/AHA VHD 2020 — device choice is a separate, deeper layer.
Clinical context
Severe AS is not always straightforward
AVA < 1.0 cm² and mean gradient ≥ 40 mmHg agree in most cases. But when they disagree, the question becomes more complex — and the next step is a structured differential, not intuition.
Discordant AS needs structured thinking
When AVA says severe but gradient says mild-moderate, the cause is almost always low flow. Identifying whether that low flow is low-EF, paradoxical, or measurement-related changes the entire downstream plan.
Symptoms matter more than one number alone
Gradient and AVA quantify the lesion. Symptoms — dyspnea, syncope, angina — tell you when the valve is affecting the patient. The indication decision requires both.
Learn the concepts
Why AVA and gradient disagree
Both parameters depend on flow — low SVI reduces gradient independently of valve area
What low-flow changes in AS
Classical vs paradoxical LFLG, why confirmatory testing matters before moving forward
How to choose SAVR vs TAVI in severe AS
Indication first, approach second — the ACC/AHA VHD 2020 framework
Think through cases
One patient, one key clinical question.