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Aortic valve sclerosis and clinical outcomes: moving toward a definition

S Michael Gharacholou1, Barry L Karon, Clarence Shub

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

The American Journal of Medicine
|February 8, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Aortic valve sclerosis may indicate higher cardiovascular risk, but its independent association with outcomes needs clarification. This review examines diagnostic criteria and epidemiological data to define this common echocardiographic finding.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Aortic valve sclerosis is linked to increased cardiovascular risk and mortality.
  • Its independent prognostic value remains uncertain, potentially confounded by other risk factors.
  • Transthoracic echocardiography is the primary diagnostic tool, but definitions are variable.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review diagnostic criteria for aortic valve sclerosis in outcome studies.
  • To summarize epidemiological findings on aortic valve sclerosis and clinical outcomes.
  • To propose a literature-based definition for aortic valve sclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of outcome studies using echocardiography for aortic valve sclerosis.
  • Synthesis of epidemiological data correlating aortic valve sclerosis with cardiovascular events.
  • Analysis of diagnostic criteria and potential biases in echocardiographic assessment.

Main Results:

  • Diagnostic criteria for aortic valve sclerosis vary significantly across studies.
  • Echocardiographic artifacts and subjective interpretation can influence diagnosis.
  • Epidemiological data suggest a link between aortic valve sclerosis and adverse cardiovascular outcomes, but independent association is debated.

Conclusions:

  • Standardized diagnostic criteria for aortic valve sclerosis are needed.
  • Clarifying the independent role of aortic valve sclerosis in cardiovascular risk is crucial.
  • A refined definition based on objective echocardiographic findings is proposed.

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