Aortic Stenosis Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Nov 18, 2021
  • Author: Xiushui (Mike) Ren, MD; Chief Editor: Terrence X O'Brien, MD, MS, FACC  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

The main issue to recognize with aortic stenosis is that the possible symptoms (eg, chest pain, syncope) may be attributed to other disease processes. Consequently, aortic stenosis is a diagnosis that can be missed in the acute setting and is discovered only after a workup.

Angina pectoris occurs in approximately two thirds of patients with critical aortic stenosis, of whom 50% have significant coronary artery disease. Because angina from aortic stenosis commonly is precipitated by exertion and relieved by rest, it simulates angina from coronary artery disease. Of course, angina also can result from coexistent coronary artery disease.

Other problems to be considered in patients with possible aortic stenosis include supravalvaraortic stenosis, congenital subvalvar aortic stenosis, and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Differential Diagnoses