The prevalence, incidence, progression, and risks of aortic valve sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to comprehensively review the epidemiology of aortic sclerosis (ASc) and its association with cardiovascular events.

ASc, which is defined as thickening or calcification of the aortic valve without significant obstruction of blood flow, is a common finding on cardiac imaging.

We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to April 2013 for studies describing the epidemiology of ASc and performed a meta-analysis of the risk of adverse events using a random effects model.

Twenty-two studies were identified from the systematic review. The prevalence of ASc increased in proportion to the average age of study participants, ranging from 9% in a study in which the mean age was 54 years to 42% in a study in which the mean age was 81 years. In total, 1.8% to 1.9% of participants with ASc had progression to clinical aortic stenosis per year. There was a 68% increased risk of coronary events in subjects with ASc (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31 to 2.15), a 27% increased risk of stroke (HR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.60), a 69% increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.32 to 2.15), and a 36% increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.59).

ASc is a common finding that is more prevalent with older age. Despite low rates of progression to ASc, there is an independent increase in morbidity and mortality associated with the condition.