Aortic stenosis is an important clinical entity
because of the potential for sudden death and because
of the relative ineffectiveness of external cardiac
massage during a cardiac arrest. The diagnosis of
AS is made from a detailed history and physical
examination, supplemented by echocardiography.
Symptoms of AS can range from decreased exercise
tolerance and exertional dyspnea to angina, CHF,
and syncope. On physical examination, a systolic
ejection murmur with radiation to the carotids is
strongly suggestive of AS.