Fig. 1

Treatment of aortic stenosis (AS): timing of intervention. AVA, aortic valve area; AVR, aortic valve replacement; BNP, B-type natriuretic peptide; EF, ejection fraction; HG, high gradient; LEF, low ejection fraction; LF, low flow; LG, low gradient; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; MG, mean pressure gradient; NEF, normal ejection fraction; NF, normal flow; SE, stress echocardiography; SVI, stroke volume index; Vmax, peak aortic jet velocity. ^aThe American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline [1] and the European Society of Cardiology guidelines [2] recommend AVR for asymptomatic AS patients with Vmax ≥ 5.0 m/sec. ^bTransesophageal echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography with aortic valve calcium score, or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging should be considered