title: Treating aortic stenosis: arresting the snowball effect.
abstract: Aortic stenosis is common and potentially fatal. Recent key insights into the pathophysiology of this disease suggest it is likely to represent a self-perpetuating cycle of injury where tissue calcification is the major driver. Also, the mechanisms governing this appear closely related to calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Manipulation of these processes may offer a means by which aortic stenosis progression can be inhibited using drugs currently licensed to treat osteoporosis. Indeed, a prospective randomized controlled trial is currently underway for determining whether denosumab or bisphosphonates can slow aortic stenosis disease. If successful, this would meet a major unmet clinical need.
authors.affiliation: 1 British Heart Foundation/University Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Room SU 305, Chancellor's Building, University of Edinburgh, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh. EH16 4SB, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Tania A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Pawade
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Newby
mesh_terms: D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D000069448:Denosumab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates; D000069448:Denosumab; D002118:Calcium
keywords: 18F-fluoride; aortic stenosis; bisphosphonates; calcification; denosumab; osteoporosis