What is fetal critical aortic stenosis?
Blood flows from the heart through the aortic valve to the rest of the body. The term ‘aortic stenosis’, refers to a narrowing of this valve, resulting in an obstruction of blood flow. Critical aortic stenosis affects about 6 in every 1000 infants born and occurs more often in boys. It may be an isolated defect or occur with other heart problems. The tighter the opening, the harder the left ventricle (left-sided pumping chamber of the heart) works in an effort to meet the demands of the body. If left untreated, this burden results in a thickening of the heart muscle, called hypertrophy. The muscle is damaged and does not function normally, resulting in left-sided heart failure and, subsequently, failure of LV growth and development. This can result in hypoplastic left heart syndrome at the time of birth. Infants born with critical aortic stenosis have an opening so small it is impossible for the heart to pump enough blood to meet the baby’s needs. If treatment is not initiated shortly
