Risk Factors Associated With Calcification of the Aortic Valve
Risk Factors Associated With Calcification of the Aortic Valve
The purpose of this study is

 -  to determine the degree of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in calcific aortic
 valve disease associated with coronary artery disease(CAD).

 -  to determine whether there is relationship between calcium metabolism and calcific
 aortic valve disease associated with CAD.
Cardiovascular disease, mainly coronary artery disease, causes more than one half of deaths
 in the developed countries. Only recently, calcific aortic valve disease, was proved to
 belong to the family of atherosclerosis. It is associated with higher cardiovascular
 morbidity and mortality, the cause of which is not entirely clear. The link to significant
 coronary artery disease, probably, is of highest importance.

 We compare groups of patients with coronary artery disease and calcific stenotic, sclerotic
 or intact aortic valve. The aim is to assess and compare their risk profile to verify our
 hypothesis that, within significant coronary artery disease, calcific aortic valve identifies
 a subgroup of patients with higher cardiovascular risk, assessed by endothelial dysfunction
 and the two year follow-up of cardiovascular events on optimally set treatment.

 Further, we study the possible association of valvular calcification and calcium metabolism
 in patients with normal kidney function.
Inclusion criteria:

 -  significant stenosis (more than 50% diameter stenosis) of one or more coronary
 arteries

 -  aortic sclerosis (group 1) or stenosis (AVA < 1cm2/m2, or mean gradient ≥ 30 mmHg)
 (group 2) or normal aortic valve (group 3)

 Exclusion criteria:

 -  Rheumatic heart disease (defined as aortic stenosis with commissural fusion +
 rheumatic mitral valve disease)

 -  Status post aortic valve replacement

 -  Congenital complex heart disease (except bicuspid aortic valve)

 -  Moderate to severe aortic insufficiency (grade > 2/4)

 -  Marfan syndrome

 -  Infective endocarditis

 -  Hypertrophic obstruction cardiomyopathy

 -  Acute coronary syndrome within less than three months

 -  Severe heart failure, NYHA class IV

 -  Severe locomotion disability

 -  Renal failure requiring dialysis

 -  Significant systemic disease or other disease severely limiting the patient prognosis
 (e.g. known cancer, liver cirrhosis)

 -  Primary hyperparathyroidism

 -  Patient non-compliance