In adults with asymptomatic AS, the rate of hemodynamic progression and clinical outcome are predicted by jet velocity, the rate of change in jet velocity, and functional status.

Background-The onset of symptoms is a critical point in the natural history of aortic stenosis and the cardinal indication for valve replacement. This study assessed the associations between natriuretic peptide levels, disease severity, and cardiac symptoms in aortic stenosis. Methods and Results-Seventy-four patients with isolated aortic stenosis underwent independent assessment of symptoms, transthoracic echocardiography, and measurement of plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and N-BNP. Natriuretic peptide levels were also measured in 100 clinically normal control subjects. The aortic valve area was smaller in symptomatic patients (nϭ45) than in asymptomatic patients (nϭ29; mean, 0.71Ϯ0.23 cm 2 and 0.99Ϯ0.31 cm 2 , respectively; PϽ0.0001). Plasma natriuretic peptide levels were higher in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic patients (for N-BNP: median, 112 versus 33 pmol/L; interquartile range, 70 to 193 versus 16 to 58 pmol/L, respectively; Pϭ0.0002). After adjustment for age, sex, serum creatinine, aortic valve area, and left ventricular ejection fraction, N-BNP levels were 1.74 times higher (95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 2.69) for symptomatic than asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis (Pϭ0.014). Natriuretic peptide levels increased with the New York Heart Association class (for N-BNP median values were 13, 34, 105, and 202 pmol/L for normal control subjects, class I, class II, and class III/IV patients, respectively; interquartile ranges for the same patients were 8 to 21, 16 to 58, 57 to 159, and 87 to 394 pmol/L; PϽ0.0001). Similar associations were observed for BNP and atrial natriuretic peptide. Conclusions-Plasma natriuretic peptide levels are elevated in symptomatic patients with aortic stenosis. Measurement of natriuretic peptides may complement clinical and echocardiographic evaluation of patients with aortic stenosis.

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(47 (14) v 33 (8) mm, P < 0.0001) and ratios (1.6 (0.5) v 1-3 (0.2), P < 0.0001). In the 62 patients with serial echocardiographic follow up, the rate of aortic root dilatation was more rapid in those with events (15 (17) v 0 (3)0/olyear, P < 0.0001). UtiUising a Cox proportional hazards model, the groups with an initial aortic ratio i 1'3 or an annual change in aortic ratio > 5% had a relative risk of an aortic complication of 2*7 and 4*1, respectively (95% confidence limits 1*5 to 4*8 and 1-8 to 9.3). Only one of 31 patients with an initial aortic ratio of < 1.3 and a rate of change of < 5% had an event (five year event free survival 97%). Conclusions-A low risk subgroup of patients with Marfan's syndrome can be identified as those with an aortic ratio < 1.3 and an annual change in aortic ratio of < 5%. These findings are helpful in optimising echocardiographic monitoring and risk stratification of patients with Marfan's syndrome. (Heart 1996;75:389-395)

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In patients with calcific AS who have a normal LV ejection fraction the severity of stenosis is the most important correlate of symptomatic deterioration. Tissue Doppler measures of LV systolic and diastolic function and LV mass provide limited predictive information after accounting for the severity of stenosis.

Accurate measurement of left-ventricular (LV) volume and function are important to monitor disease progression and assess prognosis in patients with heart disease. Existing methods of three-dimensional (3-D) imaging of the heart using ultrasound have shown the potential of this modality, but each suffers from inherent restrictions which limit its applicability to the full range of clinical situations. We have developed a technique for image acquisition using a magnetic-field system to track the 3-D echocardiographic imaging planes and 3-D image analysis software including the piecewise smooth subdivision method for surface reconstruction. The technique offers several advantages over existing methods of 3-D echocardiography. The results of validation using in vitro LV's show that the technique allows accurate measurement of LV volume and anatomically accurate 3-D reconstruction of LV shape and is, therefore, suitable for analysis of regional as well as global function.

In asymptomatic patients with moderate-severe aortic stenosis a lower than normal increase in peak systolic mitral annular velocity after treadmill exercise is a marker of early left ventricular systolic dysfunction.