title: [Prevalence and pathogenesis of aortic valve calcifications].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Calcific aortic valve disease is present in more than 25% of patients > 65 years of age and is associated with a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular events. The clinical significance of aortic valve calcification detected incidentally by radiologic examinations, especially on CT scans of the chest, was unknown. Concerning the multifactorial pathogenesis of aortic valve calcification, recent data indicate that, besides other factors, also the regulators of calcification play a key role in the disease process.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to give an overview of the prevalence and clinical significance of incidentally detected aortic valve calcifications. Moreover, the role calcification inhibitors in the pathogenesis of aortic valve calcification is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik I, Universitätsklinikum der RWTH Aachen, Aachen.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koos
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brandenburg
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ketteler
authors.forename: Harald Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Kühl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins