Extent of cusp calcification in older individuals has a rough correlation with severity, although cusp separation by M-mode echocardiography of 12 mm or greater suggests absence of critical stenosis.

THE human aortic valve consists of three cusps made of relatively inelastic, muscle-free material about 0.15 mm thick. It opens and shuts about once a second, and withstands a pressure difference ...

This reduced aortic valve orifice size should be distinguished from critical aortic stenosis. By increasing the flow rate, cusp separation and therefore valve area, are expected to increase only ...