Endothelial Progenitors in Aortic Stenosis: Association With Aortic Stenosis Progression and Severity
Endothelial Progenitors in Aortic Stenosis: Association With Aortic Stenosis Progression and Severity
There is a correlation between endothelial progenitor cells (stem cells) and stenosis of the
 aortic valve.
Degenerative aortic valve (AV) stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular disease and
 increases in prevalence with age. Severe aortic valve stenosis accounts for considerable
 disease and death, especially in older patients. Aortic valve stenosis is the primary
 indication for valve replacement in western countries, and the number will only increase as
 elderly people are a growing subpopulation. Measures to identify AV disease earlier, to
 identify factors that influence disease progression and treat AV disease pharmacologically or
 with less invasive approaches would be a significant improvement over the current standard of
 care. These advances will only be possible with a better understanding the mechanisms
 underlying valve development and disease. Preliminary data suggest a novel pathophysiological
 concept for impaired valvular endothelial cells regeneration, leading to the progression of
 age-associated calcific AV disease and a potential treatment target is the disrupted
 endothelial cell layer of the valve leaflet.

 The research objectives are:

 1. To assess the number and function of endothelial progenitor cellss and apoptotic
 endothelial progenitor cellss in patients with mild, moderate and severe aortic
 stenosis.

 2. To study the association between aortic stenosis progression, severity, symptoms and
 left ventricular function and the number and function of circulating endothelia
 progenitor cells. By understanding the correlation between valve severity, left
 ventricular longitudinal function and endothelial progenitor cells we will indentify
 high risk patients population that need early intervention. We hope to add new
 information on the pathogenesis of aortic stenosis and to indentify factors that predict
 disease progression.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with Aortic stenosis

 -  Control with aortic stenosis

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  No