Background: Flow turbulence and left ventricular outflow tract gradient occurring in discrete subaortic stenosis causes valvular distortion after a time period. The aim of this study is to determine timing and results of surgical treatment in subaortic stenosis.

Methods: In the years between July 1996 and April 2003, sixteen cases (nine male seven female) aged between 2-12 years were diagnosed as discrete subaortic stenosis and operated. In these cases subaortic gradient, valvular involvement, operation time and postoperative complications were analyzed.

Results: Sixty-five percent of the cases were symptomatic. In all cases mean gradient was 42 mmHg and aortic clamp time was 34 minutes. In 37% additionally valvular pathologies were diagnosed and in 66% of those valvular plasty were performed to the mitral and aortic valves. In these cases with valvular pathologies mean gradient was 55 mmHg and aortic clamp time was 48 minutes.

Conclusions: In discrete subaortic stenosis flow turbulence causes valvular distortion in long-term period. This study and previous studies suggests that resection of subaortic discrete membrane is a save and effective operation so that regardless of left ventricular outflow tract gradient or symptomatic status operation at the time of diagnosis is a reasonable therapeutic alternative.

Keywords : Subaortic stenosis, subaortic discrete membrane, flow turbulence