Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with aortic valve calcification: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
Aortic valve calcification (AVC) is an active process that involves inflammation, disorganization of matrix disposition, lipid accumulation and lamellar bone formation. AVC without hemodynamic changes has been associated with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and increased risk of coronary and CV events.
Nowadays, echocardiography is the standard imaging technique to evaluate aortic valve pathologies. However, cardiac computed tomography (CT) allows high accuracy and reproducible measurement of AVC, without exposing the patients to excessive radiation or contrast administration.
To better understand if AVC assessment may improve CV risk-prediction, the Authors performed a systematic search and meta-analysis of literature studies, evaluating the relationship among AVC, coronary artery disease (CAD), and overall mortality.
They found that, when cardiac CT is performed for suspected CAD, AVC evaluation may contribute to risk stratification and patient management. Ad hoc designed studies should address this issue in the next future.