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Adverse outcome in aortic sclerosis is associated with coronary artery disease and inflammation

Harish R Chandra1, James A Goldstein, Nivedita Choudhary

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073, USA.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|January 23, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Aortic sclerosis is linked to cardiovascular events, but coronary artery disease and inflammation are the true predictors, not the valve condition itself. This finding impacts understanding of heart disease risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Aortic sclerosis, a nonobstructive valve lesion, is recognized as a risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
  • The precise mechanisms linking aortic sclerosis to increased cardiovascular risk remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between aortic sclerosis, inflammatory markers, and cardiovascular events.
  • To determine if aortic sclerosis independently predicts adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Echocardiography and serologic testing, including C-reactive protein (CRP), were performed on 425 emergency room patients presenting with chest pain.
  • Aortic valve sclerosis was graded, and cardiovascular outcomes (cardiac death, myocardial infarction) were tracked for one year.
  • Multivariable analysis was used to identify independent predictors of cardiovascular events.

Main Results:

  • Aortic sclerosis was present in 49% of patients and was associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular events on univariate analysis.
  • However, multivariable analysis revealed that aortic sclerosis was not an independent predictor of cardiac death or myocardial infarction.
  • Independent predictors included coronary artery disease, prior myocardial infarction, elevated CRP levels, congestive heart failure, and age.

Conclusions:

  • The elevated risk of cardiovascular events in patients with aortic sclerosis is primarily attributed to coexisting coronary artery disease and systemic inflammation.
  • Aortic sclerosis itself does not appear to be an independent driver of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Abstract

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