Mitral-annulus calcification and cerebral or retinal ischaemia.
Radiological and echocardiographic evidence of extensive mitral-annulus calcification was present in 8 patients (aged 64 to 78) from a series of 151 consecutive patients presenting with symptoms of retinal or cerebral ischaemia but in none of 188 controls matched for age and sex. The mitral-annulus calcification syndrome appears to be significantly associated with cerebral emboli, particularly in the elderly. Echocardiography is a valuable noninvasive means of making the diagnosis and distinguishing the condition from others with similar physical signs.
D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve; D012161:Retinal Artery; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*