Reassessment of statins to retard the progression of aortic stenosis.
Aortic valve stenosis is the most common indication for surgical valve replacement in the United States and Europe. For years, this valve lesion was thought to be a passive degenerative disease. In the past decade there have been a number of studies indicating that the risk factors for valvular heart disease are the same as those for vascular atherosclerosis. This correlation with atherosclerosis and valvular heart disease indicates that medical therapy may have a role in slowing the progression of this disease process. Currently, the retrospective studies indicate that medical therapy slows the progression of this disease. The prospective data are currently conflicting in terms of the final outcomes for treating the disease process with medical therapy. This review outlines the growing number of clinical studies implicating the potential for medical therapy in this patient population.
Rajamannan
Nalini M
NM
Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. n-rajamannan@northwestern.edu
D000818:Animals; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications; D018450:Disease Progression; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors