Identifying the signs of severe aortic stenosis is typically a fairly straightforward process for cardiologists. In some cases, however, the patient’s symptoms present in a way that is outside of the norm. 

Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) is the phenomenon that occurs when the effective orifice area of a prosthetic heart valve isn’t adequately sized to meet a patient’s blood flow requirements. More is known today about PPM than ever before—but there is still so much to learn. 

Investigators with University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, recently explored the use of a “promising” new option that reduces energy consumption during brief, inter-examination idle intervals.