aortaklep

The aortaklep, or aortic valve, is one of the four heart valves and forms the gateway between the left ventricle and the aorta. It ensures that blood ejected from the left ventricle into the aorta flows in one direction and prevents backflow into the ventricle during diastole.

Anatomy and structure: The valve is a semilunar valve composed of three cusps—left coronary cusp, right coronary cusp, and non-coronary cusp—embedded in the aortic root. The cusps are supported by the fibrous annulus, and behind each cusp are the sinuses of Valsalva.

Function: During systole, left ventricular pressure rises and the valve opens to allow blood to enter the aorta. In diastole, the aortic pressure exceeds ventricular pressure, causing the cusps to close and prevent regurgitation into the ventricle.

Common diseases: Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the valve aperture, most often due to calcification with age or congenital bicuspid valves. Aortic regurgitation (insufficiency) results from incomplete closure and can arise from valve pathology or dilation of the aortic root. Congenital bicuspid aortic valve occurs when only two cusps are present, increasing the risk of stenosis and aortic disease. Symptoms of significant disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or signs of heart failure. Infective endocarditis poses an additional risk for valve damage.

Diagnosis and treatment: Echocardiography is the primary diagnostic tool. Management depends on severity and symptoms; mild disease may be monitored, while severe stenosis or regurgitation often requires valve replacement, either surgical aortic valve replacement or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI/TAVR).