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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
04:30
Investigating Aortic Valve Calcification via Isolation and Culture of T Lymphocytes using Feeder Cells from Irradiated Buffy Coat
Published on: February 4, 2021
Insights into degenerative aortic valve disease
Seth H Goldbarg1, Sammy Elmariah, Marc A Miller
1Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute and Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Cardiovascular Health Center, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|September 25, 2007
Summary
Degenerative aortic valve disease (DAVD) is a growing problem, unlike rheumatic heart disease. Research explores new therapies targeting this active calcification process to prevent or delay its progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pathophysiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Valvular heart disease prevalence remains high despite declines in rheumatic heart disease.
- Degenerative aortic valve disease (DAVD) is now the leading cause of valvular heart disease in Western countries, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality.
- Valve calcification in DAVD is an active, pathological process linked to cardiovascular risk factors, not merely aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current epidemiology and pathophysiology of degenerative aortic valve disease (DAVD).
- To highlight emerging therapeutic interventions for DAVD.
- To discuss the role of tissue engineering and stem cell technology in treating valvular heart disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on valvular heart disease trends.
- Analysis of current understanding of DAVD pathophysiology, including cellular and molecular mechanisms.
- Survey of preclinical and clinical studies on novel therapeutic agents and regenerative medicine approaches.
Main Results:
- DAVD is increasingly prevalent and associated with risk factors like diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and smoking.
- Pathological insights reveal valve calcification involves inflammation and lipid deposition, similar to atherosclerosis.
- Investigational therapies include statins, ACE inhibitors, MMP inhibitors, and regenerative approaches.
Conclusions:
- DAVD represents a significant and growing public health challenge.
- Understanding DAVD as an active disease process opens avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions.
- Emerging strategies, including tissue engineering, offer future potential for managing valvular heart disease.
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