Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 8, 2025

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
Relationships between mitral annular calcification and cardiovascular events: A meta-analysis
Tom Kai Ming Wang1, Brian P Griffin1, Bo Xu1
1Section of Cardiovascular Imaging, Heart and Vascular Institute Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Insights
Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is linked to increased risks of death and major cardiovascular events. This finding highlights MAC
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is common in older adults.
- MAC is increasingly recognized for its links to cardiovascular disease risk and outcomes.
- Its impact on valvular heart disease and interventions is a focus of current research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis on the association between MAC and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.
- To quantify the relationships between MAC and adverse cardiovascular events.
Main Methods:
- Searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases until November 30, 2019.
- Included 26 studies with 35,070 participants.
- Used random-effects models to pool data on MAC and cardiovascular outcomes.
Main Results:
- MAC was associated with significantly higher all-cause mortality (HR 1.76) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.85).
- MAC correlated with increased risks of myocardial infarction (HR 1.48), stroke (HR 1.51), heart failure (HR 1.55), and atrial fibrillation (HR 1.75).
- Patients with MAC had a higher likelihood of mitral valve replacement during cardiac surgery (OR 2.82).
Conclusions:
- Mitral annular calcification is associated with elevated rates of mortality and cardiovascular events.
- The prevalence of MAC has significant clinical implications for cardiovascular risk stratification.
- MAC presence warrants consideration in the management of valvular heart disease and interventions.
Background:
Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is prevalent in the aging population, with recent renewed interest regarding its associations with cardiovascular risk factors, outcomes, and influence on valvular heart disease and interventions. This meta-analysis aimed to report the relationships between MAC and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity events.
Methods:
Relevant studies were searched from PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases until November 30, 2019. Associations between MAC as a binary variable with death and cardiovascular events were pooled using random-effects models. The main outcomes of interest were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and procedural outcomes.
Results:
Among 799 article abstracts and 122 full-text articles screened, 26 (16 prospective and 10 retrospective) studies totaling 35 070 subjects were analyzed. MAC was associated with higher all-cause death, hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.76 (1.43-2.22), and cardiovascular mortality 1.85 (1.45-23.5). It also positively correlated with myocardial infarction 1.48 (1.22-1.79), stroke 1.51 (1.22-2.05), incidental heart failure 1.55 (1.30-1.84), atrial fibrillation 1.75 (1.43-2.15), and their composite, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Finally, conversion to mitral valve replacement at time of cardiac surgery was more in patients with MAC than without MAC, with odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 2.82 (1.28-6.18).
Conclusion:
Mitral annular calcification was overall associated with higher rates of death, and both individual and composite cardiovascular events. The presence of increasingly encountered MAC has significant clinical implications for cardiovascular risk assessment and valvular interventions.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
Mitral Valve Prolapse II: Assessment and Management
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management

