Aortic pulse wave velocity and its relationship with transaortic flow and gradients in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement

Background: Low-flow, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis (LFLGAS) is a common clinical entity and is associated with poor prognosis. Increased left ventricular (LV) afterload is one of the mechanisms contributing to low LV stroke volume index (SVi) in these patients. Aortic stiffness is an important determinant of LV afterload, but no previous study has evaluated its relationship with LVSVi in patients with AS. Methods: Fifty-seven patients (mean age 66 ± 8 years, 71.9% men) with severe AS [aortic valve area (AVA)