Aortic Valve

Discordant Aortic Stenosis: Low-Gradient and Low-Flow Patterns in the Echo Lab

When AVA, velocity, and gradient don’t agree, know what to check next.

1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Aortic stenosis grading is usually straightforward when AVA, peak velocity, and mean gradient agree. The challenge begins when they do not.

This course provides a practical, step-by-step approach to discordant and low-gradient AS. You’ll learn how to verify the measurements, classify the flow-gradient-LVEF pattern, select the appropriate next step, and report the findings clearly.

Clinical examples walk through reduced-EF low-flow, preserved-EF low-flow, and normal-flow low-gradient AS, including the appropriate roles of low-dose DSE and CT aortic valve calcium scoring.

1 CME

1

On completion you will be able to

Recognize discordant aortic stenosis findings.

Verify measurements and hemodynamic conditions before assigning severity.

Classify low-gradient AS using flow and LVEF.

Differentiate the major low-gradient AS patterns.

Select the appropriate next step when findings remain discordant.

Report discordant AS findings with appropriate clarity and certainty.

Who this is for

Cardiac sonographers, cardiologists, cardiology fellows, echocardiographers, and other clinicians involved in acquiring, interpreting, or reporting aortic stenosis studies.

Course Tags

Curriculum

How to earn credit

Complete the course content.

Complete the pre- and post-course assessments.

Complete the course evaluation.

Claim credit commensurate with your participation.

Your certificate is issued immediately after the evaluation is submitted and remains available in your account.

Faculty

Laura Hennessey

RDCS, FASE

Laura has spent eighteen years in hospital echocardiography laboratories, the last nine leading quality improvement and accreditation preparation. She teaches valve quantification to sonographers and fellows across North America.

Director of Education, CardioServ