title: Medical therapy for calcific aortic stenosis.
abstract: Severe aortic stenosis due to calcification of the aortic valve is the most common indication for aortic valve replacement in the United States and Europe. The standard therapy for symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis is replacement of the valve. Some of the risk factors and pathophysiologic mechanisms in atherosclerosis play an important role in the development of calcific aortic stenosis. In the last few years, there have been an increased number of publications regarding the use of medications in order to delay the progression of aortic stenosis. These medications include statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and biphosphanates. This article describes and summarizes some of the medical approaches that have emerged to alter the progression of aortic stenosis. Currently, only statins have been evaluated in randomized, placebo-control trials. Furthermore, statins have not proven to alter the progression of aortic stenosis. Ongoing randomized controlled trials with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, statins, and biphosphonates will determine the use of these medications to delay the progression of aortic stenosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Heart Institute, Columbia University, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA.
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Salas
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Esteban
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Escolar
authors.forename: Gervasio A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lamas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors