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Medical therapy for calcific aortic stenosis
Maria J Salas1, Orlando Santana, Esteban Escolar
1Division of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Heart Institute, Columbia University, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA.
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|August 11, 2011
Summary
Medical treatments like statins are being investigated to slow aortic stenosis progression. Current evidence shows statins have not yet proven effective in randomized trials for calcific aortic stenosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Severe aortic stenosis, often due to aortic valve calcification, is a leading cause for aortic valve replacement in the US and Europe.
- Atherosclerosis risk factors and mechanisms contribute to the development of calcific aortic stenosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize emerging medical therapies aimed at delaying the progression of aortic stenosis.
- To evaluate the current evidence for medications such as statins, ACE inhibitors, and bisphosphonates in managing aortic stenosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent publications on medical interventions for aortic stenosis.
- Analysis of findings from randomized, placebo-controlled trials, specifically for statins.
Main Results:
- Statins are the only class of drugs evaluated in randomized, placebo-controlled trials for aortic stenosis.
- Statins have not demonstrated efficacy in altering the progression of aortic stenosis to date.
Conclusions:
- Ongoing trials investigating ACE inhibitors, statins, and bisphosphonates are crucial.
- These future studies will determine the potential role of these medications in delaying aortic stenosis progression.
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