Symposium IV: Calcific Aortic Valve Disease: A Disease Process Comes of Age?

Abstract

Abstract: Calcific aortic stenosis, which includes aortic sclerosis and aortic stenosis, affects more than 25% of adults over age 65 years and is the second most common indication for cardiac surgery in the United States. Over the past 10 to 15 years, calcific aortic valve disease has come to be recognized as an active process and, therefore, potentially amenable to pharmacologic intervention. This symposium will review (1) epidemiologic and genetic studies demonstrating associations of specific risk factors with increased prevalence or rate of progression of aortic valve disease; (2) histopathologic studies, in humans and animal models, of chronic inflammation, lipoprotein deposition, renin-angiotensin system components in valve disease, including cell culture studies; (3) molecular mechanisms of valve calcification; and (4) the application of specific imaging techniques to monitor the effects of pharmacologic therapies on valve disease progression in humans. Together, these talks will provide a current, comprehensive overview of molecular, cellular, and clinical studies of this important cardiovascular condition.