Although difficult to detect, you can sometimes see aortic stenosis (AS) flow jets from the parasternal, apical, and suprasternal views. The AS flow jet occurs in systole, as blood moves through the aortic valve into the aorta. The abnormally high velocity AS blood flow jets often exhibit aliasing and contain high degrees of turbulence.

The AS flow jet is difficult to visualize from any view because of the eccentricity of the jet, reverberations from calcified leaflets, and depth limitations in apical views. Often, you only see a small amount of turbulence either between or just distal to the aortic valve leaflets.

This apical five-chamber view demonstrates the jet flow seen with aortic stenosis. An enhanced color map aids in determination of the existing jet. AS leads to left ventricular hypertrophy if left untreated.