The Contour of the Subvalvar Pressure Curve in Subaortic Stenosis.

In making the distinction between the muscular and discrete types of subvalvar aortic stenosis the assessment of the hemodynamic data is vital, but the criteria are unsatisfactory in a number of cases. Most reports dealing with the hamodynamic features (Brachfeld and Gorlin, 1959; Goodwin et al., 1960; Hancock, 1961; Boiteau and Allenstein, 1961; Brockenbrough, Braunwald, and Morrow, 1961; Boiteau, Bourassa, and Allenstein, 1963; Braunwald et al., 1963; Wigle, 1963) emphasize the value of the peripheral arterial wave form in differentiating between the two varieties of subvalvar aortic stenosis. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the value of critical analysis of the contour of the pressure tracing from the subvalvar chamber in distinguishing between the various types of subaortic stenosis.