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Aortic sclerosis and mitral annulus calcification: a window to vascular atherosclerosis?

George Lazaros1, Konstantinos Toutouzas, Maria Drakopoulou

  • 1First Department of Cardiology, Medical School of Athens University, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece. glaz35@hotmail.com

Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy
|July 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) and mitral annulus calcification (MAC) share similarities with vascular atherosclerosis. This review examines their association with cardiovascular events and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Biology
  • Degenerative Diseases

Background:

  • Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) and mitral annulus calcification (MAC) share similarities with vascular atherosclerosis, including pathogenesis and risk factors.
  • These valvular conditions are increasingly linked to adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes.
  • However, the precise relationship and whether they represent generalized atherosclerosis or a primary degenerative process remain debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence on the association between AVS and MAC with vascular atherosclerosis.
  • To assess if AVS and MAC indicate subclinical atherosclerosis and predict cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating the link between valvular calcification and vascular atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of shared risk factors and pathogenetic mechanisms.
  • Evaluation of clinical outcomes associated with AVS and MAC.

Main Results:

  • AVS and MAC share similarities with vascular atherosclerosis, but their co-occurrence is not universal.
  • Lipid-lowering therapies have not proven effective in slowing valvular calcification.
  • Evidence suggests a potential link between AVS/MAC and adverse cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events.

Conclusions:

  • The exact nature of the relationship between valvular calcification and vascular atherosclerosis requires further investigation.
  • Identifying common links is crucial for assessing AVS and MAC as potential indicators of subclinical atherosclerosis.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the predictive value of AVS and MAC for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

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