Aortic valve stenosis is characterized by which combination?

Aortic valve stenosis is characterized by which combination?

• A. Decreased resistance to blood flow, thinning of the myocardium and widening of the valve
• B. Increased resistance to blood flow, thickening of the myocardium and narrowing of the valve
• C. No change in valve structure
• D. Increased resistance to blood flow, thickening of the myocardium and narrowing of the aortic semilunar valve

Answer: (D)

Aortic valve stenosis creates a pressure overload on the left ventricle. The narrowed valve makes it harder for the ventricle to push blood into the aorta, so the resistance to outflow increases. In response to this higher afterload, the left ventricle undergoes concentric hypertrophy, meaning the myocardium thickens to generate the greater pressure needed. The valve itself is narrowed, not widened, reflecting the stenotic process. So the correct combination is increased resistance to blood flow, thickening of the myocardium, and narrowing of the aortic semilunar valve. The other options would imply decreased resistance, thinning of the heart muscle, or no valve change, which don’t fit the reality of stenosis.

Aortic valve stenosis creates a pressure overload on the left ventricle. The narrowed valve makes it harder for the ventricle to push blood into the aorta, so the resistance to outflow increases. In response to this higher afterload, the left ventricle undergoes concentric hypertrophy, meaning the myocardium thickens to generate the greater pressure needed. The valve itself is narrowed, not widened, reflecting the stenotic process.

So the correct combination is increased resistance to blood flow, thickening of the myocardium, and narrowing of the aortic semilunar valve. The other options would imply decreased resistance, thinning of the heart muscle, or no valve change, which don’t fit the reality of stenosis.