Aortic stenosis evaluation is primarily performed during which part of the cardiac cycle?

Aortic stenosis evaluation focuses primarily on the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle. During systole, the heart contracts and pumps blood into the aorta. In patients with aortic stenosis, the narrowed aortic valve creates increased resistance to blood flow, leading to elevated pressures in the left ventricle and the aorta. This condition can be assessed through various echocardiographic measurements, such as peak aortic jet velocity and the pressure gradient across the valve.

Echocardiography during systole allows for accurate assessment of the severity of the stenosis, as various parameters can be measured to determine how well blood is being ejected through the narrowed opening. Observations during this phase include left ventricular outflow tract velocities and potential left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to the increased workload of pumping against the obstruction. Consequently, the systolic phase is critical in identifying the characteristics and implications of aortic stenosis in a patient.