Emerging medical treatments for aortic stenosis: statins, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, or both?
Aortic stenosis is the most common adult heart valve condition seen in the Western world and its incidence continues to rise. No established disease modifying treatments retard progression of the stenotic process. Recent insights into the pathogenesis of calcific aortic stenosis suggest that the disease mimics atherosclerosis. The natural history and progression of calcific aortic stenosis are described with particular emphasis on new and emerging medical treatments that may modify the disease process. In particular, statins and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors appear to hold promise but definitive evidence from large clinical trials is awaited.
Newby
D E
DE
Department of Cardiology, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK. d.e.newby@ed.ac.uk
Cowell
S J
SJ
Boon
N A
NA
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors