Echocardiographic Progression of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease in Patients with Preexisting Aortic Valve Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: We aimed to evaluate echocardiographic parameters to predict calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) progression. CAVD ranges from aortic valve sclerosis (ASc) with no functional impairment of the aortic valve to severe aortic stenosis (AS). It remains uncertain, which patients with ASc have a particularly high risk of developing AS. Methods: We included a total of 153 patients with visual signs of ASc and peak flow velocity (Vmax) below 2.5 m/s at baseline echocardiography. Progression of CAVD to AS was defined as an increase in Vmax ≥2.5 m/s with a delta of ≥0.1 m/s; stable ASc was defined as Vmax below 2.5 m/s and a delta 0.26 cm (OR: 16.6, 95% CI: 5.4–50.7; p < 0.001) were independent predictors for the development of AS. Conclusions: The acquisition of simple echocardiographic parameter may help to identify patients with particularly high risk of developing AS.

Keywords

• calcific aortic valve disease
• cavd
• aortic valve stenosis
• aortic calcification