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Mitral and aortic valve sclerosis/calcification and carotid atherosclerosis: results from 1065 patients

Andrea Rossi1, Pompilio Faggiano, Alexandra E Amado

  • 1Dipartimento di Medicina, Sezione di Cardiologia, University of Verona, Verona, Italy, andrea.rossi@ospedaleuniverona.it.

Heart and Vessels
|November 8, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is linked to carotid artery atherosclerosis, independent of other risk factors. This finding highlights AVS as a significant predictor of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
  • Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) and mitral annulus calcification (MAC) are common findings on echocardiography.
  • The association between valvular calcification and atherosclerosis in other vascular beds requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the independent association between AVS and MAC and carotid artery atherosclerosis.
  • To determine if valvular calcification predicts the presence and severity of carotid atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 1065 patients underwent echocardiography and carotid artery ultrasound.
  • AVS and MAC were identified by echocardiographic criteria.
  • Carotid artery atherosclerosis was assessed by the presence and degree of atherosclerotic plaque.

Main Results:

  • Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) was significantly associated with the presence of carotid artery atherosclerosis (OR 1.9, P=0.005).
  • AVS was also associated with the degree of carotid artery atherosclerosis (OR 2.1, P=0.01).
  • Mitral annulus calcification (MAC) did not show a significant association with carotid atherosclerosis in this study.

Conclusions:

  • AVS is an independent predictor of carotid artery atherosclerosis.
  • Echocardiographic assessment of AVS may identify patients at higher risk for carotid atherosclerosis.
  • These findings suggest a potential link between aortic valve calcification and systemic atherosclerosis.

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