Prevalence of atherosclerosis of the coronary and extracranial cerebral arteries in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for calcified stenosis.
OBJECTIVE
The study aim was to investigate the coexistence of various atherosclerotic changes in patients with non-rheumatic calcific aortic valve stenosis (AS), since calcific AS shares various clinical risk factors with atherosclerosis.


METHODS
In 282 consecutive patients with severe calcific stenosis of a tricuspid aortic valve scheduled for aortic valve replacement, the prevalence of atherosclerotic changes of the coronary and extracranial cerebral arteries were assessed using coronary angiography and Doppler sonography, respectively.


RESULTS
The severities of coronary and extracranial cerebral artery atherosclerosis were significantly associated (p = 0.005). The prevalence and severity of both coronary and extracranial cerebral artery atherosclerosis were age-dependent. Coronary or extracranial cerebral artery stenosis was present in 59% and 16% of patients, respectively, while 91% of the study population and all patients aged > 80 years showed atherosclerosis of the coronary and/or extracranial cerebral arteries.


CONCLUSIONS
The data obtained indicated a very high prevalence of atherosclerotic changes in patients with calcific AS, suggesting pathogenetic similarities of both disorders. Routine screening of the extracranial cerebral arteries is warranted in all patients with calcific AS and scheduled for valve replacement.
Kaden
Jens J
JJ
1st Department of Medicine (Cardiology, Angiology, and Pneumology), Faculty of Clinical Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
Eckert
Joachim P
JP
Poerner
Tudor
T
Haghi
Dariusch
D
Borggrefe
Martin
M
Pillich
Manuela
M
Harrar-Haag
Judith
J
Kosinski
Christoph
C
Ortlepp
Jan R
JR
D000368:Aged; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging