This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Hisar, I. Articles by Demirkan, D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hisar, I. Articles by Demirkan, D. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Aortic Valve Calcification: Its Significance and Limitation as a Marker for Coronary Artery Disease

Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, Turkey.

Mehmet Ileri, MD

Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, Turkey.

Ertan Yetkin, MD

Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, Turkey.

Izzet Tandoan, MD

Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, Turkey.

Sengül Cehreli, MD

Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, Turkey.

Ramazan Atak, MD

Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, Turkey.

Kubilay Senen, MD

Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, Turkey.

Deniz Demirkan, MD

Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, Turkey.

Aortic valve calcification (AVC) is correlated with atherosclerotic risk factors; however, its significance remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether AVC detected by transthoracic echocardiography can be a useful marker for the identification of significant coronary artery disease (CAD), particularly in elderly patients. The study included 432 consecutive patients with suspected CAD who were admitted for the first time for coronary angiography. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography and selective coronary angiography were performed in all patients. Aortic valve calcification was defined as bright dense echoes of > 1 mm on one or more cusps and decreased mobility of the involved cusp. Aortic valve calcification was detected in 64 of the 337 patients with significant CAD, but only in 9 of 95 cases with normal or mildly stenotic coronary arteries (19% vs 9%, p < 0.001). The severity of coronary artery disease (defined as the number of obstructed vessels) was not related to the presence of AVC (p > 0.05). Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis of the study patients revealed only age (p = 0.003, odds ratio = 1.56) and AVC (p < 0.001, odds ratio = 2.03) as independent predictors of CAD. When the study population was divided into two groups as those below (n = 338) and above (n = 94) 75 years old, AVC failed to be a predictor of CAD in those > 75 years old (p > 0.05, odds ratio = 0.8) while it remained the most significant predictor of CAD (p < 0.001, odds ratio = 2.19 in patients aged < 75 years. In conclusion, detection of AVC by transthoracic echocardiography may be a useful noninvasive marker for identification of significant CAD in patients younger than 75 years old. Its clinical usefulness is limited in elderly patients.

Angiology, Vol. 53, No. 2, 165-169 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/000331970205300206


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?