Microvascular Dysfunction in Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis (AS), or narrowing of the aortic valve, is the commonest condition requiring valve surgery in the developed world. It is currently not known what determines who will go on to develop symptoms. Exercise testing may be able to identify these patients better than the severity of the narrowing itself, but with some limitations. The purpose of this study is to compare whether MRI scanning or exercise testing can better identify patients with AS who are likely to benefit from surgery. Design: The investigators will measure blood flow to the heart muscle with MRI scanning and perform exercise testing in 170 patients with AS and follow them for up to up to 2 years. Expected outcomes: MRI scanning will more accurately identify those patients with AS who will need surgery during this period. Anticipated Health Benefits: improved selection of patients with AS who are likely to benefit from early surgery. This is likely to reduce deaths in such patients.