[The thickness/radius ratio of the left ventricle in aortic stenosis. Prognostic and therapeutic implications]

Using two-D echocardiography and cardiac catheterization we studied the performance of left ventricle in severe aortic stenosis with normal ventricular function (10 patients), and with heart failure (11 patients). With appropriate hypertrophy increased ventricular function, is found resulting in systolic wall stress normalization. When hypertrophic mechanism is unable to normalize the systolic wall stress; afterload increases with ensuing heart failure (inadequate hypertrophy). Surgical treatment in those cases reduces the afterload and increases de ventricular function. Normalization of systolic wall stress in patients with severe aortic stenosis and heart failure means irreversible myocardial damage.