What is the most common valvular disease leading to obstruction and LV failure?

Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular disease that leads to obstruction and subsequent left ventricular (LV) failure. This condition occurs when the aortic valve becomes narrowed, making it difficult for blood to flow from the left ventricle into the aorta during systole. The left ventricle must work harder to overcome this obstruction, which leads to increased left ventricular pressure and hypertrophy over time. The progressive strain can result in LV dysfunction and heart failure symptoms as the left ventricle becomes progressively stiffer and less able to eject blood efficiently.

In terms of the other options, while aortic regurgitation leads to volume overload and can also contribute to LV failure, it is not primarily characterized by obstruction. Mitral stenosis, while it can lead to LV issues indirectly, primarily causes increased pressure in the left atrium, resulting in pulmonary congestion rather than direct obstruction to the outflow from the left ventricle. Mitral regurgitation involves the backward flow of blood into the left atrium during systole and can cause volume overload of the left ventricle, but similarly does not create a direct outflow obstruction like aortic stenosis. Therefore, the obstruction seen in aortic stenosis distinctly positions it as