[Calcified aortic stenosis. Semiology and non-invasive diagnostic aspects in the elderly]

Aortic stenosis (AoS) is a relatively common condition in elderly patients. It has different clinical manifestations from AoS seen in young individuals. We examined the manifestations of AoS in the elderly with emphasis on the findings that noninvasive techniques provide. Our study involved a retrospective analysis of 23 patients over 60 years old with diagnosis of calcified AoS established by hemodynamic studies. Calcification of the aortic valve on chest X-ray, left ventricular ejection time (LVET), from of the carotid pulse and thickness of ventricular walls by echocardiography proved to be useful variables for qualitative evaluation. The presence of syncope, murmur in mid-and end-systole and paradoxical splitting of the second sound as well as a LVET of more than 110% indicate a transaortic gradient greater than 50 mmHg. We conclude that evaluation by cardiac catheterization is required only in selected cases.