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Association between mitral annulus calcification and peripheral arterial atherosclerotic disease
1Cardiology Department, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
Angiology
|August 26, 2000
Summary
Mitral annulus calcification (MAC) is strongly associated with peripheral arterial disease. Patients with MAC showed significantly higher rates of abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI), indicating widespread vascular atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Mitral annulus calcification (MAC) has been previously linked to aortic, carotid, and coronary artery disease.
- The association between MAC and peripheral arterial atherosclerotic disease requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if a significant association exists between mitral annulus calcification (MAC) and peripheral arterial atherosclerotic disease.
Main Methods:
- Transthoracic echocardiography was used to diagnose MAC in 805 patients.
- Peripheral arterial testing, including ankle-brachial index (ABI) calculation, was performed on 77 patients with MAC and 73 age- and sex-matched controls.
- ABI was graded to assess the severity of peripheral arterial disease.
Main Results:
- Patients with MAC exhibited significantly lower mean ABI values (0.56 vs. 0.87, p=0.0001).
- A higher prevalence of abnormal ABI (94% vs. 68%, p=0.001), moderate (44% vs. 25%, p=0.001), and severe peripheral arterial disease (27% vs. 1%, p=0.001) was observed in the MAC group.
- MAC patients had a higher incidence of peripheral arterial disease in both limbs (87% vs. 60%, p=0.001).
Conclusions:
- The presence of mitral annulus calcification is significantly associated with peripheral arterial disease.
- MAC may serve as a crucial indicator of generalized vascular atherosclerotic disease.