Valvular Heart Dieasease

What is the initial compensatory mechanism as aortic stenosis develops?

• Increase in left ventricular pressure
• Decrease in left ventricular pressure
• Decrease in aortic pressure
• Increase in right ventricular pressure

What valve area and transvalvular gradient are associated with severe aortic stenosis?

• Valve area less than 0.8 cm2 and transvalvular gradient greater than 50 mmHg
• Valve area less than 2.0 cm2 and gradient greater than 60 mmHg
• Valve area less than 3.0 cm2 and gradient greater than 40 mmHg
• Valve area less than 1.5 cm2 and gradient greater than 30 mmHg

What is aortic stenosis and what are the two factors that predispose patients to developing this disorder?

• narrowing of the aortic valve
• dilation of the aorta
• weakening of the heart muscles
• damaged coronary arteries

What are the main anesthetic goals for a patient with aortic regurgitation?

• maintain normal to high heart rate
• decrease preload
• increase afterload
• induce bradycardia

How does bradycardia affect the severity of aortic regurgitation?

• increases diastolic time
• reduces the regurgitation
• decreases diastolic time
• improves heart function

How does the prognosis of acute aortic regurgitation differ from chronic aortic regurgitation?

• left ventricle fails to compensate in acute
• heart rate is higher in chronic
• both conditions result in permanent damage
• patients are asymptomatic in chronic

What valve area and transvalvular gradient are associated with severe aortic stenosis?

• less than 0.8 cm2 and greater than 50 mmHg
• 2.5 cm2 and 30 mmHg
• 5.0 cm2 and 60 mmHg
• greater than 1.0 cm2 and less than 40 mmHg

How does an increase in diastolic blood pressure affect the severity of aortic regurgitation?

• increases backward pressure gradient
• improves heart function
• reduces blood flow
• decreases regurgitation

What are the principal hemodynamic effects of aortic regurgitation?

• ventricle becomes volume overloaded
• arterial pressure increases
• ventricle loses volume
• ventricle becomes underfilled

How does an increase in diastolic blood pressure affect the severity of aortic regurgitation?

• increases the backward pressure gradient
• has no effect on the pressure gradient
• increases the forward pressure gradient
• decreases the backward pressure gradient