Pulsus Alternans in Aortic Stenosis

Alternation in the strength of left ventricular contractions was noted relatively frequently in patients with acquired aortic stenosis, but not in patients with congenital aortic stenosis of similar severity. The product of left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate, an index of the myocardial oxygen requirement, was significantly higher in those patients who exhibited persistent pulsus alternans.