[Degenerative calcification of mitral and aortic valves]

The heart of the elderly is characterized by increased occurrence of characteristic calcifications on mitral and aortic valves. These valves have been found calcified in persons older than 70 years at about equal frequency, in nearly 50% of these individuals simultaneously. A calcified mitral ring was more common in females of all age classes, aortic calcifications showed a less marked difference for gender. Only the most severe calcifications of the mitral ring have hemodynamic consequences. The clinical significance of these calcifications lie in their propensity for bacterial colonisation. The risk for infective endocarditis rises tenfold. Aortic valves, calcified by degenerative processes, lead to more pronounced alterations of hemodynamics. In nearly one half of the patients this type of calcification results in stenosis with corresponding left ventricular hypertrophy. Since coronary arteriosclerosis has a similar age distribution the risk for ischemic heart disease is increased. Early and particularly frequent calcifications of the aortic valve develop in patients with bicuspid valves. Risk for infective endocarditis is also raised by a factor of ten in patients with calcified aortic valve.