[Aortic valvular stenosis: from infant to adult--Non-invasive evaluation and decision making through life]

Non-invasive diagnosis and management of congenital aortic valvular stenosis has been possible with more accuracy by using echocardiography and Doppler. Adequate diagnosis, even in fetal life, has been performed more easily. Moreover, the choice of surgical procedure or balloon valvuloplasty has been made by using Doppler echocardiography. Echo Doppler examination is also an excellent method for following the natural course of the disease. Other non-invasive procedures, such as electrocardiogram, exercise testing, X-ray and magnetic resonance, are useful, but also have some limitations.