409-219-0287 BOOK ONLINE Aortic Stenosis Gulf Coast Cardiology Group PLLC Contents Heart Conditions Aortic Stenosis When the aortic valve opens, oxygen-rich (red) blood flows from the left ventricle to the aorta. (That's the large artery that sends oxygen-rich blood through the body.) Stenosis (narrowing) of the aortic valve makes it hard for the heart to pump blood to the body. Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve didn't form properly. A normal valve has three parts (leaflets or cusps), but a stenotic valve may have only one cusp (unicuspid) or two cusps (bicuspid), which are thick and stiff. Sometimes stenosis is severe and symptoms occur in infancy. Otherwise, most children with aortic stenosis have no symptoms. In some children, chest pain, unusual tiring, dizziness or fainting may occur. The need for surgery depends on how severe the stenosis is. In children, the surgeon may be able to enlarge the valve opening. Although surgery may improve the stenosis, the valve remains deformed. Eventually, replacing the valve with an artificial one may be needed. A procedure called balloon valvuloplasty has been used in some children who have aortic stenosis. During cardiac catheterization, a special catheter containing a balloon is placed across the constricted or narrowed valve. Then the balloon is inflated, and the valve is stretched open. The long-term results of this procedure are still being studied. Children with aortic stenosis need lifelong medical follow-up. Even mild stenosis may worsen over time. Also, surgical relief of a blockage is sometimes incomplete. After surgery the valve keeps working in a mildly abnormal way. Some patients may have to limit how much they can do of some kinds of exercise. Check with your pediatric cardiologist about these exercise limits. Children with aortic stenosis risk an infection of the valve (endocarditis) before and after treatment. It needs to be determined whether your child will need to take antibiotics before certain dental procedures to help prevent endocarditis. WHAT WE OFFER Services Heart Disease more info High Blood Pressure more info Diabetes more info Internal Medicine more info Echocardiogram more info Chest Pain more info Treadmill Stress Test more info Cardiovascular Disease more info Nuclear Cardiology more info Heart Attack more info Heart Angioplasty more info Same Day Visit more info Cholesterol more info Leg Ablations more info Arrhythmia more info Cardiac Workup more info Congestive Heart Failure more info Stents more info Heart Monitors more info Varicose Veins more info Vascular Disease more info Vertigo more info Ischemia more info Preventive Medicine more info LOCATION Gulf Coast Cardiology Group PLLC 3921 N Twin City Hwy Port Arthur, TX 77642 Phone: 409-219-0287 Fax: 409-963-1899 OFFICE HOURS Monday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Thursday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Friday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Saturday Closed Sunday Closed GET IN TOUCH 409-219-0287 BOOK ONLINE Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Accessibility Notice Contact Us Gulf Coast Cardiology Group PLLC, Port Arthur, TX Phone (appointments): 409-219-0287 Phone (general inquiries): 409-963-0000 Address: 3921 N Twin City Hwy, Port Arthur, TX 77642 4.91/5 (77 reviews)