Atrial Fibrillation and Underestimation of Aortic Stenosis Severity

Guest: Vuyisile T. Nkomo, M.D., M.P.H.

Host: Malcolm R. Bell, M.D.

Aortic valve stenosis is common in the general population. Echocardiography is the primary tool used for assessing the severity of the disease. In patients with atrial fibrillation, however, Doppler echocardiography may underestimate the severity of aortic valve stenosis, resulting in the potential for grave consequences.

Joining us today to discuss optimal diagnoses of the severity of aortic valve stenosis in patients with atrial fibrillation is Vuyisile T. Nkomo, M.D., M.P.H., a professor of medicine with joint appointments in the Structural Heart Disease Program and Division of Cardiovascular Ultrasound at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Specific topics discussed:

• Echocardiogram Doppler criteria for diagnosing the severity of aortic valve stenosis
• Hierarchy in the guidelines for diagnosis
• Aortic valve stenosis in patients with atrial fibrillation, normal sinus rhythm, or both
• Arrhythmia's impact on Doppler signals
• Next steps when aortic valve stenosis is suspected — and the implications of underestimating disease severity

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV.

No CME credit offered for this episode.

Podcast episode transcript here.