[The importance of mitral calcification in the elderly]

The echocardiographic study of 480 patients over 60 years (medium age: 75.4) revealed 37 (33 women) of them having mitral calcification (MC). The analysis of clinical and metabolic data of these 37 patients plus their electro, phono and echocardiographic assessment revealed: 1) MC was observed in 7.7% of this elderly population and its incidence tended to increase with age; 2) MC was more frequent and more pronounced in women; 3) cardiocirculatory abnormalities responsible for a high systolic pressure in the left ventricle, such as hypertension (64.9%) and aortic stenosis (10.8%) were the most commonly associated cardiac pathologies; 4) no history of illnesses usually aggressive to the mitral valve was detected; 5) plasma lipids and calcium were normal; 6) in 27.0% of patients with MC there was some degree of mitral stenosis and/or insufficiency and surgical correction has been considered in some cases; 7) changes in production and/or conduction properties were frequent, causing bradyarrhythmias, tachyarrhythmias and intraventricular block. Taking these points into consideration, a careful follow-up of confirmed cases is suggested, in order to detect and treat any complications without delay.