Morphological and functional characteristics of mitral annular calcification and their relationship to stroke

Darae Kim1, Chi Young Shim2, Geu-Ru Hong2

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Heart Vascular Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Plos One
|January 14, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) characteristics, including mobility and specific echodense masses, are linked to stroke risk. A new MAC score incorporating these features predicts stroke independently of traditional risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a known risk factor for stroke.
  • Understanding specific MAC features associated with stroke is crucial for risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define the morphological and functional characteristics of MAC related to stroke.
  • To develop a scoring system for MAC features to assess stroke risk.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 460 subjects with MAC from transthoracic echocardiography.
  • Classification into stroke (Group 2) and no-stroke (Group 1) groups.
  • Scoring MAC features: mobility, echodense mass with central echolucencies, and functional mitral stenosis.

Main Results:

  • The MAC score was significantly higher in patients with stroke (0.50 vs. 0.23, p<0.001).
  • Higher prevalence of MAC mobility, echodense mass, and functional mitral stenosis in the stroke group.
  • MAC score independently associated with stroke, adding value to traditional risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Morphological and functional MAC characteristics provide incremental value for stroke risk assessment.
  • A composite MAC score is independently associated with stroke.
  • High-risk MAC features may serve as stroke predictors or markers for stroke risk factors.
Abstract

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