Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) Practice Test

In a case of aortic stenosis, which area demonstrates a lower pressure compared to the left ventricle?

1. Aortic arch

2. Left atrium

3. Left ventricle outflow tract

4. Pulmonary artery

The correct answer is: Aortic arch

In a case of aortic stenosis, the aortic arch demonstrates a lower pressure compared to the left ventricle. This is because aortic stenosis restricts blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta during systole, resulting in significantly elevated pressures within the left ventricle as it works harder to overcome the narrowed aortic valve. Meanwhile, the aortic arch, located just beyond the stenotic valve, will show a decrease in pressure as the stenosis restricts effective blood flow. The left atrium would typically experience pressure changes due to conditions affecting the left ventricle or mitral valve, but it is not the area primarily impacted by the pressure changes caused by aortic stenosis in this context. Similarly, the left ventricular outflow tract is the region just before the valve itself, which would see higher pressures due to the narrowing rather than lower. The pulmonary artery reflects pressures associated with the right ventricle and pulmonary circulation, which are also not directly affected by the stenotic process occurring in the left ventricle and aorta.