Gender differences in patients with severe aortic stenosis: impact on preoperative left ventricular geometry and function, as well as early postoperative morbidity and mortality

Abstract

Cardiac adaptation to aortic stenosis seems to be influenced by gender, males presenting larger left ventricular volumes and higher wall tension. The echocardiographic findings of a narrow left ventricular outflow tract, abnormally increased intraventricular velocity and increased relative wall thickness identified patients with increased risk of early postoperative mortality. However gender had no independent impact on early postoperative outcome.