Aortic Sclerosis

89 year old male with thickening of the valve but no calcification This is the early form of sclerosis
Ashley Davidoff

Introduction

Aortic sclerosis is a degenerative disease commonly seen in older patients and caused by wear and tear on the valve as well as an atherosclerotic process. Calcium deposition due to processes similar to atherosclerotic vascular disease is responsible for degenerative aortic valve disease. Histological examination of degenerative valves exhibits inflammatory changes, as seen in atherosclerotic vessels and atherosclerotic risk factors, such as age, male sex, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, increased LDL, reduced HDL cholesterol, and elevated C-reactive protein predispose to aortic valve calcification.  It is commonly seen in association with mitral annular calcification (MAC).If severe, surgical treatment is required.

It results in the progressive calcification of the aortic annulus and/or aortic valve. This disease also induces thickening of the arterial wall. These effects cause heightened pressures in the left ventricle, increasing the risk of heart attack. The aortic annulus is prone to calcification because fatty acid deposits easily accumulate on the aortic surface in juncture with the valves.

The diagnosis of the disease is based on the detection of a calcified annulus or valve by CXR or CTscan while the diagnostic procedure of choice is conventional or transthoracic echocardiography which not only confirms the diagnosis but also assesses the severity of the gradient.

Aortic Sclerosis

The Common Vein Copyright 2008

Introduction

Aortic sclerosis is a degenerative disease commonly seen in older patients and caused by wear and tear on the valve as well as an atherosclerotic process. Calcium deposition due to processes similar to atherosclerotic vascular disease is responsible for degenerative aortic valve disease. Histological examination of degenerative valves exhibits inflammatory changes, as seen in atherosclerotic vessels and atherosclerotic risk factors, such as age, male sex, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, increased LDL, reduced HDL cholesterol, and elevated C-reactive protein predispose to aortic valve calcification.  It is commonly seen in association with mitral annular calcification (MAC).If severe, surgical treatment is required.

It results in the progressive calcification of the aortic annulus and/or aortic valve. This disease also induces thickening of the arterial wall. These effects cause heightened pressures in the left ventricle, increasing the risk of heart attack. The aortic annulus is prone to calcification because fatty acid deposits easily accumulate on the aortic surface in juncture with the valves.

The diagnosis of the disease is based on the detection of a calcified annulus or valve by CXR or CTscan while the diagnostic procedure of choice is conventional or transthoracic echocardiography which not only confirms the diagnosis but also assesses the severity of the gradient.

 

Calcified Aortic Annulus

72864.801c01 72864.800 aorta aortic annulus fx calcified calcification dx aortic sclerosis CXR plain film of chest Courtesy Ashley DAvidoff MD

Calcified Annulus and Calcified Atherosclerotic Ascending Aorta

72859c01 aorta aortic annulus fx calcified calcification dx aortic sclerosis CTscan Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD

Volume Rendering of the Heart – Showing Aortic Sclerosis

39699.800 aorta aortic valvaortic annulus calcified calcification aortic sclerosis aortic stenosis LVH left ventricle hypertrophy CTscan volume rendering Courtsey Ashley Davidoff MD