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. 2021 Apr;38(4):525-530.
doi: 10.1111/echo.14994. Epub 2021 Mar 11.

Heart valve calcification and cardiac hemodynamics

Andrea Rossi  1 , Andrea Barbieri  2 , Giovanni Benfari  1 , Nicola Gaibazzi  3 , Andrea Erlicher  4 , Gianfrancesco Mureddu  5 , Silvia Frattini  6 , Giacomo Faden  7 , Marcella Manicardi  2 , Monica Beraldi  8 , Francesco Agostini  8 , Valentina Lazzarini  9 , Antonella Moreo  10 , Pier Luigi Temporelli  11 , Giovanna Magni  12 , Gregg Pressman  13 , Pompilio Faggiano  14
Affiliations

Heart valve calcification and cardiac hemodynamics

Andrea Rossi et al. Echocardiography. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: Heart valve calcification (VC) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but the hemodynamic and functional profile of patients affected by VC has not been fully explored.

Methods: The study population was formed by consecutive unselected patients included in seven echocardiographic laboratories in a 2-week period. A comprehensive echocardiographic examination was performed. VC was defined by the presence of calcification on at least one valve.

Results: Population was formed of 1098 patients (mean age 65 ± 15 years; 47% female). VC was present in 31% of the overall population. Compared with subjects without VC, VC patients were older (60 ± 14 vs 75 ± 9; P < .0001), had more hypertension (40% vs 57%; P = .0005), diabetes (11% vs 18%; P = .002), coronary artery disease (22% vs 38%; P = .04), and chronic kidney disease (4% vs 8%; P = .007). Furthermore, VC patients had lower ejection fraction (55 ± 14 vs 53 ± 25; P < .0001), worse diastolic function (E/e' 8.5 ± 4.6 vs 13.0 ± 7.1; P < .0001) and higher pulmonary artery pressure (29 ± 9 vs 37 ± 12; P < .0001). The association between VC and EF was not independent of etiology (p for VC 0.13), whereas the association with E/e' and PASP was independent in a full multivariate model (P < .0001 and P = .0002, respectively).

Conclusion: Heart valve calcification patients were characterized by a worse functional and hemodynamic profile compared to patients with normal valve. The association between VC and diastolic function and PASP were independent in comprehensive multivariate models.

Keywords: diastolic function; echocardiography; heart valve calcification; pulmonary artery pressure.

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References

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