What is aortic stenosis?

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is a disease of the aortic valves in which the opening of the valve is narrowed. When the opening of the aortic valve becomes narrowed or constricted (stenotic), the blood can not be pumped adequately and the pressure in the left ventricle increases.  Over time, the LV compensates by thickening its walls in order to maintain adequate pumping pressure. In later stages, the left ventricle dilates, the wall thins, and the systolic function deteriorates.