TY - JOUR T1 - Aortic stenosis and the case of the missing handbag JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 266 LP - 267 DO - 10.3399/bjgp09X420347 VL - 59 IS - 561 AU - Peter Perkins Y1 - 2009/04/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/59/561/266.abstract N2 - Aortic stenosis is now the most common type of valvular heart disease in Europe and North America. Calcific aortic stenosis affects 2–7% of people aged over 65 years. Dyspnoea, chest pain, and syncope require investigation and surgery is the preferred option for suitable individuals. Operative mortality is 3–5% for those aged under 70 years and 5–15% in older adults. The case reported here illustrates the issues raised when a GP's patient unexpectedly collapses in a public place and other professional agencies become involved. Relevant UK medico-legal requirements of the vehicle licensing agency and the new guidance related to antibiotic prophylaxis and heart valve disease are also discussed. ER -