Aortic stenosis is most likely to be the cause of syncope in which population?

Aortic stenosis is most likely to be the cause of syncope in which population?

• A. Infants
• B. Adults in their 40s
• C. Elderly
• D. Young adults

Answer: (C)

Exertional syncope from aortic stenosis happens when the valve narrowing is severe enough to create a fixed, limited cardiac output. During activity, the heart cannot increase flow to meet the body's needs, and vasodilation with exertion lowers cerebral perfusion, leading to fainting. The most common situation for this is degenerative calcific narrowing of the aortic valve, which is prevalent in the elderly. Infants with AS usually present with heart failure or poor systemic perfusion rather than isolated exertional syncope, and while younger adults can have congenital or bicuspid valves, syncope from AS is not as typical as in older adults. So, the elderly are the population most likely to have AS causing syncope.

Exertional syncope from aortic stenosis happens when the valve narrowing is severe enough to create a fixed, limited cardiac output. During activity, the heart cannot increase flow to meet the body's needs, and vasodilation with exertion lowers cerebral perfusion, leading to fainting. The most common situation for this is degenerative calcific narrowing of the aortic valve, which is prevalent in the elderly. Infants with AS usually present with heart failure or poor systemic perfusion rather than isolated exertional syncope, and while younger adults can have congenital or bicuspid valves, syncope from AS is not as typical as in older adults. So, the elderly are the population most likely to have AS causing syncope.