Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation for complex aortic stenosis in hybrid strategy

Intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) has been considered to be relatively contraindicated in patients with complex aortic stenosis (AS). In this report, we describe the successful implementation of IABP counterpulsation in a patient with severe coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction complicating significant aortic AS. It is shown that adjuvant IABP is a safe and effective method to bridge the unstable hemodynamic condition in the initial percutaneous phase of a hybrid approach. One year after second stage valve surgery, the clinical course remains uneventful.     

Intra-aortic counterpulsation during carotid stenting.

Postprocedural hypotension following endovascular stent placement of carotid artery disease (CAS) predicts increased in-hospital complications and long-term risk of death. Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) both increases mean arterial pressure and cerebral blood flow and therefore possibly reduces complications due to hemodynamic instability during and after CAS. In this study, we describe the use of IABP in a patient with severe depression of left ventricular function due to diffuse coronary artery disease undergoing CAS. Controlled studies are necessary to demonstrate a potentially protective role of IABP in high-risk CAS patients.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention and aortic valve implantation in a patient with breast cancer

We present a case of a 70 year-old female with severe aortic stenosis, multivessel coronary artery disease and breast cancer who successfully underwent complex percutaneous coronary revascularisation, transapical aortic valve implantation and mastectomy.     

Prevalence of carotid artery stenosis in Chinese patients with angina pectoris

Background

The prevalence of carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in Chinese patients with angina pectoris is unknown.

Methods

The study population consisted of 989 consecutive patients who were scheduled to undergo nonemergent coronary angiography for suspicion of coronary artery disease (CAD) because of angina pectoris between January 2013 and December 2014. All patients underwent carotid ultrasonography to screen for CAS within one month before or after coronary angiography. We defined cases with 0–50%, 50%–70%, and >70% stenosis as mild, moderate, and severe stenosis, respectively.

Results

CAD was presented in 853 patients (86.2%) of whom 191 patients (19.3%) had 1-vessel disease, 246 patients (24.9%) had 2-vessel disease and 416 patients (42.1%) had 3-vessel disease; left main trunk stenosis present in 137 patients (13.9%). In carotid ultrasonography, the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe stenosis as well as that of total occlusion of the carotid artery was 54.5%, 13%, 4.7% and 0.8%, respectively. Significant CAS (>50% stenosis and total occlusion) was present in 10.3%, 13.9%, 19.9% and 22.8% of patients with 0-vessel, 1-vessel, 2-vessel and 3-vessel CAD. The severity of CAS was directly correlated (r=0.194, P<0.001) with the extent of CAD. The independent predictors of severe CAS and total carotid artery occlusion were increased age, male sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperhomocysteinemia, a previous history of stroke and 3-vessel CAD.

Conclusions

The prevalence of CAS was not rare in China when compared with that in western countries, and the presence of CAS was weakly correlated with the extent of CAD. Screening for CAS should be recommended in Chinese patients with CAD, especially in those with one or more CAS-associated risk factors.     

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation through a diseased left common carotid artery: Combined approach with endarterectomy and left carotid‐subclavian bypass

We report a case of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the self‐expanding Medtronic CoreValve bioprosthesis (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MI) through a diseased left common carotid (LCC) artery. This 81‐year‐old male patient presented with heart failure due to a severe degenerative aortic valve stenosis. Comorbidities included diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia as well as peripheral and coronary artery disease, resulting in a logistic EuroScore II of 25.9%. Consequently, he was rejected to undergo surgery and a transcatheter approach was planned. Due to severe peripheral vascular disease with iliofemoral lesions, significant calcifications and unfavourable angulations of the innominate artery as well as prior bypass surgery precluding a direct aortic and subclavian approach, none of the established access sites were suitable. Therefore, we considered a left carotid access, which had to be combined with a surgical endarterectomy for treatment of a significant common carotid bifurcation stenosis and left subclavian‐LCC permanent tunnel bypass graft. The procedure was successful without cardiac, cerebrovascular, or access complications. This case illustrates a true heart team approach, establishing a unique access for TAVI for patients without regular access options. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Feasibility of carotid artery stenting in patients with angiographic string sign

Background : Treatment of angiographic string sign (SS) of the carotid artery with carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been associated with a high incidence of periprocedural neurological events. We describe our experience with CAS in a case series of symptomatic patients with severe carotid stenosis and angiographic SS. Methods : We performed a retrospective review from 1999 to 2009 using our cardiac cath laboratory database and identified nine patients with the angiographic SS who underwent CAS. All patients were referred for carotid angiography by a neurologist due to symptoms (stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)). All lesions were predilated and treated with self‐expanding stents. Distal protection devices were utilized (six patients) once they became available. Periprocedural outcomes and long‐term follow‐up was reviewed when available. Results : The average time from onset of symptoms to CAS was 45 days. All CAS procedures were technically and clinically successful without acute complications. One year follow‐up was available in eight patients. One patient had a possible TIA, and the remaining seven patients did not report any events (death, stroke, TIA or myocardial infarction). Carotid ultrasound evaluation at 12 months was available in six patients and showed no evidence of restenosis. Conclusions : In our experience, CAS in patients with severe symptomatic carotid stenosis and angiographic SS is feasible, with an acceptably low periprocedural complication rate. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Hybrid技术治疗冠心病合并严重颈动脉狭窄的临床疗效及安全性研究

目的回顾性分析颈动脉支架术(CAS)和冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)同期或分期Hybrid技术治疗冠心病合并严重颈动脉狭窄的临床疗效及安全性。方法入选2008年7月至2014年9月期间中国医学科学院阜外医院成人心脏外科收治的同期或分期实施CAS和CABG的冠心病合并严重颈动脉狭窄患者274例,依据两种手术是否同期实施分为两组:同期手术组(间隔≤7 d,n=35)和分期手术组(间隔7 d,n=239)。对两组患者的临床资料及预后进行比较分析。结果与同期手术组相比,分期手术组患者的搭桥数量、颈动脉支架植入个数以及肾动脉支架植入个数显著增加,而呼吸机辅助时间显著减少,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。中位随访时间为45.6(28.1~65.4)个月,随访期间仅1例患者发生脑卒中而死亡。两组患者围手术期不良事件发生率间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。截至随访终期,Cox模型分析结果显示,是否同期手术与患者复合终点事件发生率无明显相关性(OR=0.679,95%CI:0.12~3.72;P=0.66)。结论 CAS联合CABG是治疗冠心病合并严重颈动脉狭窄的一种安全、有效的微创策略。     

Protected carotid artery stenting in patients with severe stenosis

Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) and ulcers are the major findings of unstable plaques. In addition, initial symptoms are associated with postprocedural complications after carotid artery stenting (CAS). The aim of this study was to determine the safety of CAS using an embolic protection device in symptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis and unstable plaques such as IPH and ulcers.This retrospective study included 140 consecutive patients with severe carotid stenosis. These patients underwent preprocedural carotid vessel wall imaging to evaluate the plaque status. We analyzed the incidence of initial clinical symptoms, such as headache, nausea, and vomiting, after CAS. The primary outcomes analyzed were the incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction, and death within 30 days of CAS.Sixty-seven patients (47.9%) had IPH, and 53 (38.9%) had ulcers on carotid wall imaging/angiography. Sixty-three patients (45.0%) had acute neurological symptoms with positive diffusion-weighted image findings. Intraluminal thrombi on initial angiography and flow arrest during CAS were significantly higher in patients with IPH and symptomatic patients. Symptoms were significantly higher in patients with IPH than in those without (63.5% vs 35.1%, P < .001). There were no significant differences in clinical symptoms after stenting or in primary outcomes, regardless of IPH, ulcer, or initial symptoms.IPH and plaque ulceration are risk factors in symptomatic carotid stenosis. However, IPH and plaque ulceration were not a significant risk factors for cerebral embolism during protected carotid artery stent placement in patients with carotid stenosis. Protected CAS might be feasible and safe despite the presence of unstable plaques.     

Ultrasound assessment of internal carotid disease candidates to endovascular carotid stenting and cardiac surgery is inaccurate in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis

PURPOSE: The association of internal carotid artery disease (ICAD) with aortic valve stenosis (AVS) constitutes a very high-risk clinical occurrence in which combined surgery may increase the operative risks and carotid stenting before or after cardiac surgery may be a valuable option. Unfortunately, in patients with AVS, the evaluation of carotid arteries by Doppler ultrasound (DUS) may be inaccurate. The present retrospective study is aimed to evaluate the pitfalls of DUS and the role of carotid angiography before carotid stenting in evaluating ICAD in patients with AVS. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical, hemodynamic, and angiographic findings of 200 patients with moderate to severe AVS (5.5% of 3600 patients underwent cardiac catheterization; mean age, 68.5+/-10.6 years) investigated in our institution over the past 2 years. Patients with moderate to severe AVS, candidates to open cardiac surgery, underwent carotid ultrasonography to assess ICAD and complete left and right catheterization with coronary artery angiography, and in case of doubtful carotid artery sonography, the patients underwent also carotid artery angiography at the time of complete cardiac catheterization before confirming the indication to carotid stenting or combined surgery. RESULTS: Seventy patients with moderate to severe AVS and doubtful carotid ultrasonography underwent coincident carotid angiography. Reasons for suboptimal Doppler ultrasonographic examination are related to the anatomical or to the difficult evaluation of Doppler flow due to hemodynamic influences of AVS. On carotid angiography, 20 patients (28.5%, male/female, 8/12; mean age, 72.1+/-5.1 years) were diagnosed to have critical stenosis of one (16 patients) or both (4 patients) internal carotid arteries; in five patients, a significant ICAD was not diagnosed by DUS, whereas in seven patients, the stenosis was underestimated by DUS (mean luminal narrowing, 58+/-12.7% vs. 76.7+/-19.3%, P<.03), and in the other eight patients, DUS overestimated ICAD (77+/-12% vs. 62+/- 13.4%, P<.02). Out of this group, six patients underwent successful carotid stenting, six combined surgical treatments, and eight underwent simple cardiac surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler ultrasound may be inconclusive in evaluating ICAD in patients with moderate to severe AVS candidates to cardiac surgery and endovascular carotid stenting. Carotid angiography may be proposed at the time of cardiac catheterization in patients with inconclusive DUS examination.     

Successful percutaneous coronary intervention after implantation of a CoreValve percutaneous aortic valve

Background: The association between aortic valve disease and coronary atherosclerosis is common. In the recent era of percutaneous aortic valve replacement (PAVR), there is little experience with coronary artery intervention after valve implantation. Case report: To our knowledge, this is the first case of successful percutaneous coronary intervention after implantation of a CoreValve percutaneous aortic valve. We report a case of a 79‐year‐old female patient who underwent successful coronary artery intervention few months after a CoreValve's percutaneous implantation for severe aortic valve stenosis. Verifying the position of the used wires (crossing from inside the self expanding frame) is of utmost importance before proceeding to coronary intervention. In this case, crossing the aortic valve, coronary angiography, and multivessel stenting were successfully performed. Conclusion: Percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with previous CoreValve is feasible and safe. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Pathology of calcific aortic stenosis

With the aging of the general population in industrialized nations, calcific aortic stenosis (CAS) is becoming an increasingly important medical problem. The etiology is for the most part, dependent on the age at presentation; the two predominant causes in the western world are calcific aortic valve disease arising in a tricuspid aortic valve and bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). CAS is a progressive disease, exhibiting a spectrum of pathologic findings, ranging from valvular sclerosis to severe nodular calcification. Aortic valve replacement is the recommended treatment for severe disease but tissue valves may also calcify over time. Various atherosclerotic risk factors have been linked to aortic stenosis and there are mechanistic similarities between atherosclerosis and CAS. The precise pathologic mechanisms underlying aortic stenosis are poorly understood.     

Mandatory Diagnostic Angiography for Carotid Artery Stenosis Prior to Carotid Artery Intervention

Introduction: Revascularization is an important strategy for reducing stroke risk in patients with severe carotid atherosclerosis. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and/or carotid ultrasound have traditionally been used as the only diagnostic modalities prior to revascularization. Patients undergoing CEA frequently have no further assessments of carotid anatomy prior to surgery. Evaluation with carotid ultrasound and MRA can often overestimate the degree of stenosis. We sought to determine if noninvasive imaging was sufficient for determining whether a patient should be referred for carotid intervention.
Methods: We performed an analysis of 101 patients referred for carotid artery stenting (CAS). All patients had previously been evaluated with carotid ultrasound and 94% had undergone MRA as well. We sought to determine if noninvasive diagnostic imaging for carotid stenosis was sufficient to determine the necessity for endovascular intervention.
Results: Of the 101 patients referred for carotid intervention, 36 (36%) were shown to have <70% stenoses and did not require intervention. Of those who had significant disease, 49 (75%) underwent successful CAS, 15 (23%) underwent CEA, and 1 patient was treated medically for a total occlusion. Three of the 36 patients not requiring carotid intervention were found to have subclavian stenosis. Two (4%) of the patients undergoing CAS and 4 (27%) of the patients undergoing CEA had minor complications. No patients suffered a major stroke, MI, or death at follow-up.
Conclusion: This analysis demonstrates that 36% of patients referred for endovascular intervention based on noninvasive imaging did not meet criteria by angiography. This emphasizes the need for carotid angiography prior to carotid intervention.     

Treatment strategies for carotid stenosis in patients at increased risk for surgery

The purpose of carotid revascularization is stroke prevention. The merits of carotid revascularization as well as the type of revascularization are dependent on the “natural risk” and the “revascularization risk.” In general, the natural risk of stroke in any patient with carotid stenosis (CS) is dependent on the symptomatic status of the patient and CS severity. Contemporary choices for carotid revascularization include carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS). Anatomical (hostile neck situations, severe bilateral CS, CEA restenosis) and clinical (severe cardiopulmonary diseases, prior cranial nerve injury) factors may increase the risk of CEA. Likewise, anatomical (complex aortic arch and brachiocephalic arterial anatomy, presence of thrombus, and heavy calcification) and clinical (need for heart surgery within 30 days) factors may increase the risk of CAS. Other factors such as the presence of symptomatic CS (transient ischemic attack or stroke within 6 months), decreased cerebral reserve, chronic kidney disease, and age older than 75 years may increase the risk of CEA and CAS. In general, symptomatic patients with severe CS exceed revascularization risk. In contrast, asymptomatic patients who are high risk for CEA should be considered for CAS because the natural risk of stroke should undergo careful assessment of baseline cognitive function, aortic arch and carotid artery anatomy, and likelihood of survival for 3 years. Patients who have normal cognitive function, favorable anatomy, and high likelihood of survival more than 3 years should be considered for CAS, whereas patients with multiple unfavorable features may be treated with optimal medical therapy, without revascularization.     

Relation of nonobstructive aortic valve calcium to carotid arterial atherosclerosis

Recently it was shown that subjects with aortic valve calcium (AVC) are at increased risk for future cardiovascular disease including stroke. We hypothesized that the increased risk of stroke may be due to an association with carotid artery atherosclerotic disease. Between 1995 and 1999 our laboratory made a diagnosis of AVC without significant stenosis in 3,949 patients. Of those, 279 patients without other cardiac structural exclusion criteria (148 men and 131 women; mean age 73 +/- 9 years, range 45 to 90) underwent carotid artery duplex ultrasound for various indications, and formed the study group. Age- and sex-matched patients without AVC (n = 277), who underwent carotid artery duplex ultrasound during the same period and for the same indications, served as the control group. Compared with the control group, the AVC group had a significantly higher prevalence of carotid stenosis (> 40% to 60%, 89% vs 78% [p < 0.001]; >60% to 80%, 43% vs 23% [p <0.001];and > 80% to 100%, 32%vs 14% [p < 0.001]). The AVC group had a similar, significantly higher prevalence of > or = 2-vessel disease and bilateral carotid stenosis (stenosis levels of > 20% to 40%, >40% to 60%, > 60% to 80%, and > 80% to 100%). In multivariate analysis, AVC, but not traditional risk factors, was the only independent predictor of severe carotid atherosclerotic disease (stenosis > 80% to 100%; p = 0.0001). Thus, there is a significant association between the presence of AVC and carotid atherosclerotic disease.     

Coronary artery disease is associated with valvular heart disease,but could it Be a predictive factor?

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with severe valvular heart disease (VHD) and the association between these two cardiac entities. Our research aims to introduce the theory of a possible causal relationship.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 1308 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for severe VHD in the cardiovascular department of Notre-Dame de Secours University Hospital (NDSUH) between December 2000 and December 2016. According to transthoracic echocardiography, patients were divided into 4 groups: patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR), patients with severe mitral stenosis (MS), and patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Preoperative coronary angiographies were reviewed for the presence or the absence of significant CAD (≥50% luminal stenosis). Chi-square test and 2 × 2 tables were used.ResultsOf the 1308 patients with severe VHD, 1002 patients had isolated aortic valve disease, 240 patients had isolated mitral valve disease, and 66 patients had combined aortomitral valve disease. CAD was detected in 27.75% of all patients with severe VHD, in 32% of patients with isolated aortic valve disease, and in 15% of patients with isolated mitral valve disease. Statistical analysis showed a higher prevalence in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis and a significant relationship between CAD and aortic valve disease, mainly severe AS (p < 0.0001).ConclusionThe prevalence of CAD in patients with VHD is 27.75%, and it correlates significantly with aortic valve disease, in particular with severe AS. Future large studies are needed to evaluate the possible causal relationship.     

Spontaneous course of aortic valve disease

The fate of patients with aortic valve disease of varying degrees of severity and the relationship between symptoms and haemodynamic status have been studied in 190 adults undergoing cardiac catheterization during the last two decades. During the follow-up period, 41 patients died and 86 underwent aortic valve replacement; these two events were the endpoints for the calculation of 'event-free' cumulative survival. First-year survival in haemodynamically severe disease was 60% in aortic stenosis and 96% in aortic regurgitation; in moderate and mild disease (in the absence of coronary artery disease) first-year survival was 100% in both groups. After 10 years, 9% of those with haemodynamically severe aortic stenosis and 17% of those with severe regurgitation were event-free, in contrast to 35% and 22%, respectively, of those with moderate changes and 85% and 75%, respectively, of those with mild abnormalities. In the presence of haemodynamically severe disease, 66% of the patients with stenosis and 14% of those with regurgitation were severely symptomatic (history of heart failure, syncope or New York Heart Association class III and IV); 23% of patients with moderate stenosis and 14% with moderate regurgitation were also severely symptomatic. Only 40% of those with disease that was severe both haemodynamically and symptomatically with either stenosis or regurgitation survived the first two years; only 12% in the stenosis group and none in the regurgitation group were event-free at 5 years. Patients with haemodynamically severe aortic stenosis who had few or no symptoms had a 100% survival at 2 years; the comparable figure for the aortic regurgitation group was 94%; 75% of the patients in the stenosis group and 65% in the regurgitation group were event-free at 5 years. In the moderate or mild stenosis and regurgitation groups there was no mortality within the first 2 years in the absence of coronary artery disease, regardless of symptomatic status. Haemodynamically and symptomatically severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation have a very poor prognosis and require immediate valve surgery. Asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients with haemodynamically severe aortic stenosis are at low risk and surgical treatment can be postponed until marked symptoms appear without a significant risk of sudden death. In severe aortic regurgitation, the decision for surgery should depend not only on symptoms but should be considered in patients with few or no symptoms because of risk of sudden death. In the absence of coronary artery disease, moderate aortic valve disease does not require valve operation for prognostic reasons.     

Hybrid approach combining off-pump CABG with transapical aortic valve implantation via median sternotomy

We report the case of a 75-year-old patient diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and two-vessel coronary artery disease. Due to multiple comorbidities including chronic renal insufficiency, stroke and pulmonary hypertension (EuroSCORE: 34%; STS mortality risk: 14.9%), he was not a candidate for conventional aortic valve surgery. He underwent a novel hybrid treatment approach combining off-pump CABG and transapical aortic valve implantation via a median sternotomy. Extracorporeal circulation could be entirely avoided.     

Carotid artery approach for balloon dilation of aortic valve stenosis in the neonate: a preliminary report

Balloon valvuloplasty in neonates with severe aortic valve stenosis is limited by difficulties in catheter manipulation around the arch and across the valve and by the risk of femoral artery complications. A right common carotid artery cutdown was utilized for balloon aortic valvuloplasty in five neonates 1 to 20 days of age, weighing 3.1 to 3.9 kg. Standard balloon valvuloplasty was performed through a 6F sheath inserted in the right carotid artery. The arteriotomy was repaired at the end of the procedure. Mean left ventricular systolic pressure was reduced from 142 to 97 mm Hg, with a decrease in mean peak systolic pressure gradient from 76 to 33 mm Hg. Only one patient developed mild aortic regurgitation. One patient with a hypoplastic left ventricle died, and one patient required open valvotomy. All four survivors have a normal carotid pulse and no neurologic sequelae. Two of these patients required repeat balloon dilation to treat residual aortic valve stenosis at 8 and 10 months of age, respectively. Balloon valvuloplasty using a carotid artery approach is feasible and was safe in five neonates with severe aortic valve stenosis.     

血管超声与脑血管造影诊断颈动脉狭窄的对比研究

目的评价血管超声技术与脑血管造影诊断颈动脉狭窄的临床应用价值。方法回顾性分析130例缺血性脑血管病患者的颈部血管超声和数字减影血管造影术(DSA)检查结果 ,评价血管超声诊断颈动脉狭窄的价值。颈动脉狭窄率及狭窄程度分级按北美症状性颈动脉内膜剥脱术进行计算。结果 130例患者中,260支颈动脉行2种检查,DSA检查显示63例患者颈动脉狭窄,狭窄血管71支,血管超声检查显示56例患者颈动脉狭窄,狭窄血管70支。以DSA检查结果为金标准,血管超声诊断颈内动脉狭窄的敏感性、特异性和准确性分别为71.88%、94.47%和88.97%。血管超声诊断中、重度颈内动脉狭窄的敏感性、特异性和准确性分别为55.56%、99.20%和97.69%。以DSA诊断结果为标准,血管超声诊断颈总动脉狭窄的敏感性为100%,特异性为97.6%,准确性为97.69%。结论血管超声诊断颈动脉狭窄的敏感性较高,诊断颈总动脉狭窄的敏感性高于颈内动脉,可用于颈动脉狭窄的筛选和随访,但对于血管重度狭窄和闭塞诊断仍欠佳,尚不能取代DSA检查。     

The relation between homocysteine and calcific aortic valve stenosis

BACKGROUND: In patients diagnosed with calcific aortic valve stenosis, cardiac risk factors are similar to those of coronary artery disease; homocysteine concentration is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between plasma homocysteine levels and aortic valve stenosis and the influence of homocysteine levels on the coexistence of coronary artery disease in patients with moderate to severe aortic valve stenosis. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients who had been diagnosed with moderate to severe aortic stenosis formed the test group of this study, and 47 healthy subjects without coronary artery disease or aortic valve stenosis formed the control group. The patients with aortic stenosis were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of coronary artery disease in their coronary angiograms. After 12 h fasting venous blood samples were collected and total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides and homocysteine levels were measured and compared between the two groups. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The mean blood homocysteine level was 10.8 +/- 3.3 micromol/l in patients with aortic valve stenosis and 8.1 +/- 4.7 micromol/l in the control group; the difference between these levels was statistically insignificant. The patients with aortic valve stenosis had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol and hypertension and were more likely to have a positive family history for coronary artery disease. When the two subgroups of patients with aortic valve stenosis were compared, mean blood homocysteine levels were 13.2 +/- 3.1 and 8.3 +/- 2.2 micromol/l, respectively, showing significantly higher levels in the group with coronary artery disease. In this comparison patients with coronary artery disease were also found to have significantly higher levels of total cholesterol and LDL and they were more likely to be smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no relation between blood homocysteine levels and the existence of aortic valve stenosis, in cases with both coronary heart disease and aortic stenosis homocysteine levels were significantly higher than in the patients with pure aortic valve stenosis.