title: CT of aortic and mitral valve calcification.
abstract: In a retrospective study of 100 patients 40 years of age or older, routine CT of the thorax demonstrated calcification of the aortic valve in five and mitral valve in five. The prevalence of valvular calcification increased with increasing age; calcification was present in 36% of patients over 70 years of age and 75% over 80. None had a history of rheumatic fever; in nine of 10 cases valvular calcification appeared to be degenerative in etiology. In one younger patient, aortic valvular calcification occurred in a congenitally bicuspid valve. Aortic valvular calcification on CT is specific for aortic stenosis; CT also demonstrates the calcification earlier than either plain radiographs or echocardiography. In the elderly, mitral valve calcification on CT seems to occur as a manifestation of degenerative changes in the mitral valve and anulus and may be associated with mitral insufficiency, mitral valve prolapse, or conduction abnormalities. Two-dimensional echocardiography and doppler interrogation of the valves should be done in any patient in whom CT demonstrates aortic or mitral valvular calcification.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Woodring
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: West
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed