Brief Answer:
Its moderate aortic valve stenosis, but needs cardiac catheterization

Detailed Answer:
Welcome Dear XXXX!

I can well understand your concerns and want to assure you that you have mild to moderate degree of valve leaflet hardening in aortic valve. It doesn't affect much the function of aortic valve. But it was not so obvious on Echocardiography, so they decided to go for cardiac catheterization(angiography) to see the leaflets anatomy,chamber sizes of the heart, and to study the blood flow gradient and currents of blood across the valve, and other hemodynamic assessments.

Now a days I mostly rely on Echogram of the patient to satisfactorily come to the diagnosis of the Aortic valve stenosis. But if there is not a good quality Echocardiography result and data is equivocal and discrepent with the clinical picture I ho for ordering Catheterization for more detailed studies. Aortic Valve stenosis makes left ventricular back pressure and makes it enlarged chamber. It affects filling and emptying of the heart and affects cardiac output and shortness of breath on exertion mostly.
Mild degree of sclerosis has a good prognosis. So don't be panic and go for the Angiography.

They will decide how to proceed. It all depends on anatomy of valve that reveals on Angiography and the chamber sizes. Also I assess the patient based on any attack of syncope,angina,heart failure in a patient with aortic valve stenosis. Based on this data we can say what to do next.

Hope it helps. May you have a good Angiography and get well soon. Feel free to contact me with a direct question or follow ups anytime. Please consult me once you have the report of angiography to share it with me to better assist you further.

Regards!
Dr. Hanif XXXXXXX USA

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Brief Answer:
No, It doesn't make any difference in my answer

Detailed Answer:
Dear, XXXX!

I welcome you again and appreciate your query. I am here to help you with explanations for your question.

Sclerosis means hardening (it may be due to increased formation of connective tissue or disease of the interstitial substance). And, Stenosis means an abnormal narrowing of a duct or canal.

Now we come to your case. What has happened to your aortic valve leaflet? It has got kind of stiff and hard, due most probably to accumulation of the interstitial substance over the surface of the leaflet.

Let me explain you a bit what happens normally. The valve leaflets are easy to move, soft, thin flapper like structure with an aperture in between that opens and closes with heart beats and allows blood to move out from left ventricle to aorta when heart pumps. Then aortic valve leaflets approximate to fully close the opening, so that the ejected blood doesn't come back to ventricle when heart is relaxing after that beat.

When leaflets become sclerosed, they got Stiff and can't move freely, and they are no more flexible enough. Thay can't open normally so hardening causes narrowing (stenosis). Also the extra growth on them makes the conduit narrow.

You have very moderate Sclerosis that has not disturbed the Aortic valve functions much. That's a good news for you Mr. XXXX

Hope I helped answer your query. Feel free to "ask me a question" from my profile, if you have any questions regarding your health. Please don't forget to leave a positive feedback and rating so that I may in a better position to help you in future too. Have a blessed time ahead.

Regards!
Your Physician
Dr. Hanif
Philadelphia-PA, USA

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