A case-control investigation of the relation between hyperlipidaemia and calcific aortic valve stenosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation of hyperlipidaemia to calcific aortic valve stenosis.


METHODS
A case-control study designed to detect a clinically relevant difference in the fasting plasma concentrations of total cholesterol between the groups at the 5% level with a power of 90%. Predefined subgroup analyses were based on presence of significant coronary disease and valve morphology (that is, bicuspid or tricuspid).


METHODS
A district general hospital.


METHODS
20 patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis and 20 controls.


RESULTS
Mean (SD) fasting plasma total cholesterol in patients with aortic stenosis was 0.79 (1.50) mmol/l greater than in the controls (p = 0.029). The magnitude of differences between patients with aortic stenosis and controls was similar whether the patients had coronary artery disease (0.78 (1.73) mmol/l) or not (0.80 (1.37) mmol/l). The presence of a stenosed tricuspid aortic valve was associated with a significant increase in plasma cholesterol (1.70 (0.87) mmol/l, p = 0.012). For bicuspid valves the degree of elevation of plasma cholesterol was less and not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Calcific aortic stenosis is associated with hypercholesterolaemia, especially when the valve is tricuspid. Further studies are necessary to confirm that the relation is causal. This finding may have implications for measures to prevent the most common cause of cardiac valve replacement in the developed world.
Wilmshurst
P T
PT
Department of Cardiology, Royal Infirmary, Huddersfield, UK.
Stevenson
R N
RN
Griffiths
H
H
Lord
J R
JR
D000368:Aged; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol