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[Mitral annular calcifications in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: an echocardiographic study]
Insights
Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is often age-related, but in younger patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), it may stem from mechanical stress on the mitral valve.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Cardiac Imaging
Background:
- Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a common finding, particularly in older individuals.
- Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a genetic heart muscle disease.
- The relationship between MAC and HOCM requires further investigation.
Observation:
- Echocardiographic review of 1,231 patients identified eight with MAC.
- Four of these patients also had HOCM.
- The remaining four MAC patients without HOCM showed additional calcification in the aorta or aortic valve, suggesting an age-related process.
Findings:
- In HOCM patients, MAC was observed in two older females and two younger males.
- Younger male HOCM patients with MAC did not present other calcific lesions.
- MAC in younger HOCM males was suspected to result from mechanical strain on the mitral valve.
Implications:
- MAC may have different underlying etiologies depending on patient demographics and comorbidities.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms linking MAC and HOCM.
- Understanding these associations can refine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cardiac conditions.
Abstract:
From the echocardiographic files of 1,231 patients, eight revealed mitral annular calcification (MAC), in whom four had hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). In the remaining four patients without HOCM, whose ages ranged from 69 to 80 years with a mean of 73 years, an additional calcification was observed in the either aorta or aortic valve. Therefore, MAC was thought to be a part of the aging process. Of the four patients with HOCM two were females (71 and 78 years, respectively) and two were males (50 and 51 years, respectively). The latter two younger male patients had MAC without another calcific lesion, and the cause of MAC was suspected as the pressure and/or mechanical strain on the mitral orifice due to excessive movements of either the chordae tendineae or papillary muscle.