Aortic valve disease, both aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation (backflow), can produce marked heart failure. Aortic valve stenosis is the most common type of cardiac valve disease and results from atherosclerosis causing calcification of the valve leaflets. It can also be caused by postinflammatory or postrheumatic conditions. These may lead to aortic regurgitation such as infective endocarditis, degenerative valve disease, rheumatic fever, or trauma.