The prognostic value of calcification and impaired valve motion in combined aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
Optimal management of patients with coronary artery disease and concomitant aortic valve stenosis remains a subject of controversy. In this retrospective study, an attempt was made to identify criteria indicating rapid progression of aortic valve stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease.


METHODS
Between 1990 and 1999, 47 patients underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) after previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at the authors' institution. The postoperative data, including cardiac catheterization films, were reviewed.


RESULTS
Aortic valve disease, mainly aortic stenosis, showed a rapid rate of progression. During a mean interval between CABG and AVR of 5.9 +/- 2.9 years, the mean peak-to-peak pressure gradient across the aortic valve rose from 16.1 +/- 13.8 to 61.4 +/- 23.9 mmHg in patients where presence of calcification and impaired aortic valve motion was found (66.0% of patients had calcified aortic valves; 72.3% had impaired valve motion) at the time of CABG; whereas in those without calcification and/or impaired leaflet motion a mean of 9.2 +/- 0.8 years elapsed before AVR became necessary.


CONCLUSIONS
If a patient must undergo surgery for coronary artery disease, then AVR should be considered not only on the basis of hemodynamic criteria but also with regard to calcification of the aortic valve and its leaflet motion.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors