Vnitr Lek 2005, 51(4):458-461

Aortic stenosis, sclerosis, and atherosclerosis

K. Linhartová^1,*, R. Čerbák², H. Rosolová³

¹ I. interní klinika Lékařské fakulty UK a FN Plzeň, přednosta prof. MUDr. K. Opatrný, jr. DrSc.

² Centrum kardiovaskulární a transplantační chirurgie Brno, ředitel prof. MUDr. J. Černý, DrSc.

³ II. interní klinika Lékařské fakulty UK a FN Plzeň, přednosta doc. MUDr. J. Filipovský, CSc.

Only in the last decade calcific aortic valve disease has been proven to belong to the family of atherosclerosis. Calcific aortic valve disease encompasses a wide range of disease from calcification without flow obstruction, aortic sclerosis, to severe aortic stenosis. Similarity with the atherosclerosis is suggested by histological studies, association with atherosclerosis risk factors and frequent coincidence with coronary artery disease. Possible association with altered calcium metabolism, endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory and infectious etiology as well as genetical factors is being studied. A new insight into the problem of the aortic valve pathology may be brought through findings of new risk factors or differences between aortic valve disease and coronary artery disease. The question of causal relationship between risk factors and calcified atherosclerotic, perhaps "atheroscleritic" aortic valve disease may be solved by prospective randomized studies.

Keywords: calcification of the aortic valve; aortic sclerosis; aortic stenosis; coronary artery disease; atherosclerosis

Received: May 25, 2004; Accepted: July 13, 2004; Published: April 1, 2005  Show citation