Critical aortic stenosis in the neonate is characterized by which of the following?

B. It may be associated with coarctation of the aorta, PDA, and mitral stenosis

D. Success of valvotomy is determined by the adequacy of the left ventricle.

DISCUSSION: Critical aortic stenosis in the neonate most often presents in the first week of life with severe and progressive congestive heart failure and may be associated with coarctation of the aorta, PDA, and mitral stenosis. The prognosis is poor unless valvotomy can be performed expeditiously. Medical management cannot stabilize these infants for valve replacement at a later age. Infants whose left ventricle is too small to sustain the systemic circulation are unlikely to survive aortic valvotomy and, thus, should be managed as patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The aortic valve in neonatal aortic stenosis is most commonly unicuspid or bicuspid.