Abstract

Echocardiography detected asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) in five of 200 adults being assessed for aortic valve surgery. Four of these were among 119 patients with dominant aortic stenosis, which was severe in three. ASH was confirmed at the time of aortic valve replacement in two of these patients; the third declined operation. The finding of ASH in only one of 81 patients with free aortic reflux is consistent with chance association. While the same explanation could apply to the higher prevalence in those with aortic stenosis, it may be that a long-standing pressure overload can trigger inappropriate septal hypertrophy in predisposed individuals.