Association between mitral annulus calcification and aortic atheroma: a prospective transesophageal echocardiographic study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although mitral annulus calcification (MAC) has been reported to be a significant independent predictor of stroke, no causative relationship was proven. It is also known that aortic atheroma (AA), especially those >/=5 mm thick and/or protruding and/or mobile are associated with stroke. This study was designed to determine whether an association exists between MAC and AA. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the records of 279 consecutive patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for various indications to measure the presence and characteristics of AA. The 105 patients in whom a diagnosis of MAC was made on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) immediately preceding the TEE, were compared with 174 age-matched patients without MAC. MAC was defined as a dense, localized, highly reflective area at the base of the posterior mitral leaflet. We measured MAC thickness with two-dimensional-TTE in four-chamber view and AA thickness, protrusion and mobility with TEE. AA was defined as localized intimal thickening of >/=3 mm. A lesion was considered complex if there was plaque extending >/=5 mm into the aortic lumen and/or if it was protruding, mobile or ulcerated. RESULTS: No differences were found between the groups in risk factors for atherosclerosis or in indications for referral for TEE. Significantly higher rates were found in the MAC group for prevalence of AA (91 vs. 44%, P<0.001), atheromas >/=5 mm thick (68 vs. 19%, P<0.001), protruding atheromas (44 vs. 15%, P<0.001), ulcerated atheromas (10 vs. 1%, P<0.001) and complex atheroma (74 vs. 22%, P<0.001). Sixty patients had MAC thickness >/=6 mm and 45<6 mm. AA thickness was significantly greater in the patients with a MAC thickness of >/=6 mm (6.1+/-2.8 vs. 5.0+/-2.6 mm, P=0.03). On multivariate analysis MAC, hypertension and age were the only independent predictors of AA (P=0.0001, 0.005 and 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between the presence and severity of MAC and AA. MAC may be an important marker for atherosclerosis of the aorta. This association may explain in part the high prevalence of systemic emboli and stroke in patients with MAC.     

Cardiac valve calcification: characteristics of patients with calcification of the mitral annulus or aortic valve

Aims—To determine whether mitral annular calcification and aortic valve calcification, with or without stenosis, are expressions of atherosclerotic disease.Methods—The incidence of atherosclerotic risk factors was analysed in patients with mitral annular calcification and aortic valve calcification and in control patients from a prospective echocardiographic database of 8160 consecutive patients; 657 patients (8%) were identified with mitral annular calcification and 815 (9%) with a calcified aortic valve, of whom 515 (6.3%) had stenosis with a minimal aortic valve gradient of 16 mm Hg. In these patients, cardiac and vascular risk factors were compared with 568 control patients using multiple logistic regression analysis.Results—Age (odds ratio (OR) varying from 5.78 to 104, depending on age class), female sex (OR 1.75), hypertension (OR 2.38), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.85), and hypercholesterolaemia (OR 2.95) were strongly and significantly associated with aortic valve calcification without stenosis, as were age (OR varying from 8.82 to 67, depending on age class), female sex (OR 2.22), hypertension (OR 2.72), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.49), and hypercholesterolaemia (OR 2.86) with mitral annular calcification. Age (OR varying from 1.11 to 7.7), hypertension (OR 1.91), and hypercholesterolaemia (OR 2.55) were strongly and significantly associated with stenotic aortic valve calcification.Conclusions—Mitral annular calcification and stenotic or non-stenotic aortic valve calcification have a high incidence of atherosclerotic risk factors, suggesting they should be considered as manifestations of generalised atherosclerosis.     

Relationship between plaque morphology of carotid artery and aortic valve calcification

Aortic and mitral valvular calcifications are found to be associated with atherosclerotic risk factors and are largely accepted as part of a generalized atherosclerotic process. As well as the severity of stenosis, embologenic properties of plaques are also responsible for ischemic potentials of atherosclerotic plaques in carotid arteries. In this study, the authors aimed to define the characteristics of plaque morphology in patients with and without aortic valvular calcification (AVC) and to show the association between AVC and carotid plaque characteristics. Carotid plaque morphology in 182 consecutive patients with AVC was compared with plaque characteristics in 170 patients without AVC. Risk factors for atherosclerosis, age, and gender were similar in patients with and without AVC. The presence of carotid atherosclerosis, complex atheromas, and carotid artery stenosis was significantly higher in patients with AVC when compared with those without AVC (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.05, respectively). Unstable plaques (Types I and II) were also found to be more common in the patients with AVC than in those without AVC (p < 0.001). This study demonstrated the strong correlation between AVC and carotid atheromas. The plaques in patients with AVC are more unstable in morphology than in those without AVC, and this may explain the higher stroke incidence in these patients.     

The role of valvular and thoracic aortic calcifications in distinction between ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy

Determination of underlying etiology in patients with dilated and globally hypokinetic left ventricles may sometimes be difficult even after detailed history and complete clinical evaluation. Cardiac valvular and thoracic aortic calcifications have previously been reported to be used as a window to diffuse atherosclerosis of the vascular system. The authors prospectively examined the predictive value of mitral annular calcification (MAC), aortic valve calcification (AVC), and thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) in diagnosis of coronary artery disease as the underlying cause of diffuse left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction. The study included 98 consecutive patients (male/female = 76/22, mean age = 58.9 +/- 10.7 years, range: 33 to 75 years) over the age of 30 years admitted to their clinics between October 1999 and December 2001 with signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure associated with documented cardiomegaly. Transthoracic echocardiography and coronary angiography were performed in all patients for the evaluation of valvular calcifications and coronary status. Although there was no significant difference between the groups with and without coronary artery stenosis (CAS), with regard to presence of MAC, patients with CAS tended to have MAC more frequently (12/61, 20% vs 4/37, 11%, p > 0.05). AVC and TAC were found to be significantly more frequent in patients with CAS compared to those without CAS (AVC, 35/61, 57% vs 4/37, 11%, p < 0.001 and TAC, 28/61, 46% vs 2/37, 5%, p < 0.001). While all 3 calcifications had sensitivity under 60%, and specificity and positive predictive value over 75% individually, the presence of any of them had a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 86%, positive predictive value of 91%, and negative predictive value of 73%. Thus the presence of any of these calcifications distinguished patients with coronary artery disease with a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 86%. The presence of aortic valvular valve and thoracic aortic calcifications seems to be associated with significant coronary arterial stenosis; however, with relatively low negative predictive values these cannot be used in clinical practice for diagnosis of underlying coronary artery disease in patients with dilated left ventricles and impaired systolic functions.     

Association between mitral annular calcification and carotid atheroma

Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a strong predictor of stroke and represents a potential source of cerebral emboli. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an association exists between mitral annular calcification and carotid atheroma. In addition, the characteristics of carotid atheromas were compared between patients with and without mitral annular calcification. The authors found that there was a significant association between the presence of mitral annular calcification and carotid atheroma. Mitral annular calcification in the elderly may be a form of atherosclerosis.     

Complex atheromatosis of the aortic arch in cerebral infarction

In many stroke patients it is not possible to establish the etiology of stroke. However, in the last two decades, the use of transesophageal echocardiography in patients with stroke of uncertain etiology reveals atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic arch, which often protrude into the lumen and have mobile components in a high percentage of cases. Several autopsy series and retrospective studies of cases and controls have shown an association between aortic arch atheroma and arterial embolism, which was later confirmed by prospectively designed studies. The association with ischemic stroke was particularly strong when atheromas were located proximal to the ostium of the left subclavian artery, when the plaque was ≥ 4 mm thick and particularly when mobile components are present. In these cases, aspirin might not prevent adequately new arterial ischemic events especially stroke. Here we review the evidence of aortic arch atheroma as an independent risk factor for stroke and arterial embolism, including clinical and pathological data on atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta as an embolic source. In addition, the impact of complex plaques (≥ 4 mm thick, or with mobile components) on increasing the risk of stroke is also reviewed. In non-randomized retrospective studies anticoagulation was superior to antiplatelet therapy in patients with stroke and aortic arch plaques with mobile components. In a retrospective case-control study, statins significantly reduced the relative risk of new vascular events. However, given the limited data available and its retrospective nature, randomized prospective studies are needed to establish the optimal secondary prevention therapeutic regimens in these high risk patients.     

Relation of aortic arch complex plaques to risk of cerebral infarction in patients with aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis (AS) and systemic atherosclerosis have been shown to be closely related. We evaluated the prevalence of aortic arch plaques and their possible association with the risk of cerebral infarction in patients with severe AS. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 116 patients with severe AS (55 men, mean age 71 ± 7 years, mean aortic valve area 0.68 ± 0.15 cm(2)) who were scheduled for aortic valve replacement. The presence, thickness, and morphology of the aortic arch plaques were evaluated using transesophageal echocardiography. Cerebral infarcts (chronic cerebral infarction and cerebral infarction after cardiac catheterization and aortic valve replacement) were assessed in all patients. Compared to age- and gender-matched control subjects, the patients with severe AS had a significantly greater prevalence of aortic arch plaques (74% vs 41%; p <0.0001) and complex arch plaques such as large plaques (≥4 mm), ulcerated plaques, or mobile plaques (30% vs 10%; p = 0.004). Multivariate logistic analyses showed that the presence of complex arch plaques was independently associated with cerebral infarction in patients with AS after adjusting for traditional atherosclerotic risk factors and coronary artery disease (odds ratio 8.46, 95% confidence interval 2.38 to 30.12; p = 0.001). In conclusion, the results from the present study showed that there is a greater prevalence of aortic arch plaques in patients with AS and that the presence of complex plaques is independently associated with cerebral infarction in these patients. Therefore, the identification of complex arch plaques using transesophageal echocardiography is important for risk stratification of cerebrovascular events in patients with severe AS.     

Influence of systolic left ventricular blood flow direction on genesis of senile calcification of the aortic valve]

To assess the factors which may initiate and accelerate degenerative senile calcification of the aortic valve, two-dimensional echocardiograms and the clinical characteristics of 259 consecutive cases with senile calcification of the aortic valve were studied. The results were compared with those of similar studies among 186 consecutive cases with the normal aortic valves. An aortic cusp with an area of increased echo greater than 3 mm in width and with decreased pliability was regarded as calcified. Among patients with calcification of one aortic cusp, 114 exhibited calcification of a noncoronary cusp, 17 calcification of the left coronary cusp and 3 calcification of the right coronary cusp (p < 0.001). Among patients with calcification of 2 aortic cusps, 39 had calcification of a noncoronary and left coronary cusps, 3 calcification of the left and right coronary cusps and 16 calcification of the right and noncoronary cusps (p < 0.001). In patients with calcification of their aortic valves, the end-diastolic angle between the interventricular septum and the ascending aorta was 102 +/- 10 degrees; whereas, it was 89 +/- 10 degrees in the control group (p < 0.001). There were no differences in frequency of aortic root calcification, mitral annular calcification, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, or hyperglycemia, between patients with and without calcification of their aortic valves. Of the female patients ranging in age from 65 to 74 years, 88% in those with calcification of 3 cusps and 30% in those with calcification of one cusp (p < 0.05) had mitral annular calcification.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Innocent Bystander or Marker of Pathology!

Mitral annular calcification is known to be associated with conduction abnormalities, embolic phenomena, endocarditis, mitral regurgitation, and thromboembolic cerebrovascular events in the younger population. The size of our elderly population is growing dramatically with the fastest growth in those aged greater than 85 years. The incidence of mitral annular calcification increases sharply in these “very elderly group of patients.” To determine if mitral annular calcification in the elderly patients has the same implications as in the younger population, electrocardiographic and echocardiography (M-mode, two-dimensional, Doppler) data from 553 octogenarian patients who were referred for a variety of clinical indications were analyzed. Patients with mitral annular calcification were quantified into mild, moderate, and severe, and the association of each was determined with various cardiac abnormalities. Mitral annular calcification was found in 59% of the octogenarian patients. Out of these, mild mitral annular calcification was present in 38%, moderate in 40%, and severe mitral annular calcification in 22% of the patients. Mild mitral annular calcification was not associated with an increased incidence of any cardiac abnormalities. Moderate mitral annular calcification was also not associated with any increased incidence of significant aortic stenosis, conduction abnormalities, and enlarged left ventricular size. However, severe mitral annular calcification was associated with all these findings. Moderate and severe mitral annular calcification were associated with significant mitral regurgitation and left ventricular hypertrophy. Thus, in the majority of elderly patients with mild and moderate mitral annular calcification (78%), its presence merely represents an aging process and an innocent bystander as compared to elderly patients without mitral annular calcification. However, only severe mitral annular calcification is strongly associated with cardiac abnormalities. Therefore, quantification of mitral annular calcification in the elderly is important before associating it with various cardiac abnormalities. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 8, May 1991)     

A transesophageal echocardiographic study on risk factors for stroke in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: a comparison with younger patients

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) becomes an increasingly important cause of stroke as patients get older. The aim of the study was to determine whether risk factors of cerebral embolism among elderly patients with AF differed from those of younger patients by using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Design and setting: Cross-sectional study at a university hospital. METHODS: Cardiovascular lesions with the potential for thromboembolism in patients with AF were investigated using TEE. Left atrial spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC), peak flow velocity in the left atrial appendage (LAA-flow), and aortic atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta were assessed in 67 elderly (> or = 70 years old) and 135 younger (< 70 years old) patients. All patients underwent either brain CT (n = 54) or MRI (n = 148) to assess presence of cerebral infarction. RESULTS: Cerebral infarction due to embolism was noted in 113 patients with AF. There was a higher prevalence of cerebral embolism in elderly patients when compared with younger patients (78% vs 45%; p < 0.001). Cerebral embolism found in younger patients was associated with high grade of SEC and lower LAA-flow (p < 0.05). In addition to these TEE findings, aortic atherosclerosis was more severe in elderly patients with cerebral embolism than in those without cerebral embolism (p < 0.0001). By multivariate logistic analysis, LAA-flow was an independent predictor of cortical infarction in younger patients, but not in elderly patients, whereas aortic atherosclerosis was a useful marker in predicting embolic risk in elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: TEE findings indicative of left atrial blood stasis were useful to identify the embolic risk of younger patients with AF, while atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta appears to be an important marker for cerebral embolism in elderly patients.     

Impact of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Calcification on Procedural Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

ObjectivesThis study aimed to systematically assess the importance of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) calcification on procedural outcomes and device performances with contemporary transcatheter heart valve (THV) systems.BackgroundLVOT calcification has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, the available evidence is limited to observational data with modest numbers and incomplete assessment of the effect of the different THV systems.MethodsIn a retrospective analysis of a prospective single-center registry, LVOT calcification was assessed in a semiquantitative fashion. Moderate or severe LVOT calcification was documented in the presence of 2 nodules of calcification, or 1 extending >5 mm in any direction, or covering >10 % of the perimeter of the LVOT.ResultsAmong 1,635 patients undergoing TAVR between 2007 and 2018, moderate or severe LVOT calcification was found in 407 (24.9%). Patients with moderate or severe LVOT calcification had significantly higher incidences of annular rupture (2.3% vs. 0.2%; p < 0.001), bailout valve-in-valve implantation (2.9% vs. 0.8%; p = 0.004), and residual aortic regurgitation (11.1% vs. 6.3%; p = 0.002). Balloon-expandable valves conferred a higher risk of annular rupture in the presence of moderate or severe LVOT calcification (4.0% vs. 0.4%; p = 0.002) as compared with the other valve designs. There was no significant interaction of valve design or generation and LVOT calcification with regard to the occurrence of bailout valve-in-valve implantation and residual aortic regurgitation.ConclusionsModerate or severe LVOT calcification confers increased risks of annular rupture, residual aortic regurgitation, and implantation of a second valve. The risk of residual aortic regurgitation is consistent across valve designs and generations. (SWISS TAVI Registry; NCT01368250)     

Clinical significance of aortic knob width and calcification in unstable angina.

BACKGROUND: Chest radiography is a routine examination evaluating those patients with chest pain. There are few data about the correlation between aortic knob width, calcification and coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The aortic knob width was measured and the presence of aortic knob calcification was assessed via a chest posteroanterior view in 178 consecutive patients. The aortic knob width and calcification were compared to the risk factor and the extent of coronary artery disease. Patient's age (69.5+/-7.95 vs 61.1+/-10.29 years, p=0.010), the prevalence of hypertension (65.9 vs 46.3%, p=0.024) and diabetes (43.2 vs 26.1%, p=0.033), the level of total cholesterol (196.8+/-63.21 vs 188.6+/-44.45 mg/dl, p=0.049) and the incidence of multi-vessel disease (65.9 vs 38.1%, p<0.001) were higher in patients with aortic knob calcification than in patients without calcification. The aortic knob width and the prevalence of aortic knob calcification were significantly correlated with the severity of coronary artery disease. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that aortic knob calcification and diabetes were independent factors for multi-vessel disease (p=0.018 and p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The observation of aortic knob on a chest radiograph can provide important predictive information of coronary atherosclerosis.     

Are degenerative changes in the aortic valve an additional important marker of atherosclerosis?

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Degenerative changes of the mitral annulus are associated with atherosclerotic disease. It has recently been suggested that degenerative changes in the aortic valve may also be associated with atherosclerosis. The intima-media thickness of the carotid arteries has been used as one of the best and earliest markers of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the additional presence of degenerative changes in the aortic valve in coronary patients with mitral annular degenerative disease reflects different degrees of intima-media thickness as assessed by carotid ultrasonography. METHODS: The study group included 55 patients admitted for myocardial infarction who presented with degenerative changes of the mitral annulus assessed by echocardiography. Exclusion criteria were moderate or severe valvular heart disease and chronic renal failure. All patients underwent echocardiography, cardiac Doppler and carotid ultrasonography. Based on the echocardiographic findings, two sub-groups were formed: 1--with degenerative changes of the aortic valve; and 2--without degenerative changes of the aortic valve. Carotid ultrasonography was performed with a 7.5-10 MHz linear transducer and the following parameters were evaluated: 1--bilateral measurement of intima-media thickness in the common carotid artery; 2-- incidence of atheromatous plaques in the carotid arteries, and 3--incidence of >50% lesion in the internal carotid arteries assessed by pulsed Doppler (Vmax >125 cm/s). RESULTS: Thirty-three patients (aged 71.6 +/- 7.1 years), 21 men and 12 women, did not present degenerative changes in the aortic valve. The other group consisted of 22 individuals (aged 72.9 +/- 6.8 years), 14 men and 8 women, who did have such changes. Differences in age and gender distribution between the two groups were not significant. Patients with degenerative aortic valve disease had greater intima-media thickness than the control group (1.6 +/- 0.3 mm versus 1.3 +/- 0.4 mm, p < 0.001). Fifteen (68%) patients with aortic degenerative disease had plaques in the carotid arteries compared to 11 (33%) patients in the control group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the incidence of >50% atherosclerotic lesion in the internal carotid artery (22% versus 12%; NS). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with degenerative changes in the aortic valve presented significantly greater intima-media thickness and a higher incidence of atherosclerotic plaques than the control group, suggesting that their presence may constitute an additional important marker of severity of atherosclerotic disease.     

Relationship between mitral annular calcification and severity of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with symptomatic ischemic cerebrovascular disease

OBJECTIVES: Many studies have reported the association between mitral annular calcification (MAC) and stroke. MAC has been speculated to be a direct embolic source of stroke. Recently, the association between MAC and atherosclerosis in the coronary artery, aorta, and carotid artery has been reported. This prospective study investigated the association between MAC and severity of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with symptomatic ischemic cerebral disease to evaluate the association between MAC and atherosclerosis as a cause of stroke. METHODS: We studied 377 patients with ischemic cerebral disease (253 men, 124 women, mean age 68 +/- 11 years) who underwent echocardiography to determine the presence of MAC and carotid ultrasonography to determine the severity of carotid atherosclerosis. Plaque score was the sum of the maximum intimamedia thickness in the common carotid region, the bifurcation bulb region, and the internal carotid artery region, including both right and left arteries. RESULTS: MAC was found in 86 patients, and was more frequent in women, the elderly, and patients with diabetes or hyperlipidemia (p < 0.05). Plaque score was higher in patients with than without MAC (8.3 +/- 5.8 vs 5.2 +/- 5.2 mm, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis identified MAC (r = 0.26, p < 0.0001), female sex (r = -0.12, p = 0.03), and age (r = 0.23, p < 0.0001) as independently associated with plaque score. CONCLUSIONS: MAC is independently associated with severity of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with symptomatic ischemic cerebral disease. This association suggests MAC may be indirectly related to cerebrovascular disease as a marker of the presence of progressive arteriosclerosis for thromboemboli causing stroke.     

Echocardiography in diagnostic assessment of peripheral arterial embolization

In an attempt to identify a cardiac source of emboli, two-dimensional echocardiography was performed postoperatively in 42 consecutive patients with acute peripheral arterial embolism requiring urgent embolectomy. The patients were divided into four groups. Group 1 included 14 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, among whom four cases of intracavitary thrombi were detected. Group 2 included 13 patients with acute or previous myocardial infarction, and left ventricular thrombi were detected in three. Group 3 included one patient with a prosthetic mechanical aortic valve and one with mitral valve prolapse; thrombi were not detected in either. Group 4 comprised 13 patients with no clinical evidence of a cardiac source of embolism; in one of them a large left ventricular thrombus was detected. Altogether eight intracavitary thrombi were detected (19%), and only in three (7.1%) were the results of echocardiographic examinations defined as entirely normal. A number of clinically undetected cardiac lesions, such as mitral annular calcification and aortic valve calcification, possibly associated with peripheral arterial embolism, were also detected by postoperative echocardiography. Because of the high percentage of intracavitary thrombi detected and the therapeutic implications thereof, especially if embolism recurred, it is concluded that two-dimensional echocardiographic examination should be recommended for patients with acute peripheral embolism.     

Association of transesophageal echocardiographic findings with the site of arterial occlusion in patients with thromboembolic stroke

The authors investigated the association of transesophageal echocardiographic findings with the site of arterial occlusion in patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography because of thromboembolic stroke and in whom the site of arterial occlusion was diagnosed by computerized axial tomography. The study population included 101 patients (mean age 59 +/- 15 years) with thromboembolic stroke and 101 randomly selected age-matched and sex-matched control without stroke. Transesophageal echocardiographic findings that were significantly higher in the patients with thromboembolic stroke than in the control group were vegetations on the aortic or mitral valve (9% versus 1%, P < 0.01), left atrial or left atrial thrombus or spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (20% versus 6%, P < 0.005), thrombus on a prosthetic valve or in the left ventricle (4% versus 0%, P < 0.05), and atherosclerosis in the thoracic aorta (37% versus 21%, P < 0.02). A higher prevalence of atherosclerosis in the thoracic aorta was found in patients with lacunar infarction compared with patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion (67% versus 25%, P < 0.02), as well as a higher prevalence of vegetations on the aortic or mitral valve in patients with occlusion of 2 arteries compared with patients with vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (28% versus 0%, P < 0.05).     

Association between chronic kidney disease and thoracic aortic atherosclerosis detected using transesophageal echocardiography

Objective: Accelerated atherosclerosis occurs with a high frequency in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We evaluated the association between CKD and thoracic aortic plaques using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Methods: This study population consisted of 297 patients who underwent TEE. Aortic plaques were evaluated in the proximal thoracic aorta (PTA) (from the ascending aorta to the aortic arch) and the distal thoracic aorta (DTA) (the descending aorta) using TEE. Aortic plaques were defined as complex plaques of ≥4 mm thickness and with ulceration or mobile components. CKD was defined as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m². The association between CKD and aortic plaques was evaluated using multivariate analysis after adjusting for traditional atherosclerotic risk factors. Results: Patients with CKD (n = 144) had a higher incidence of any plaques and complex plaques compared with those without CKD (n = 153) (85% vs. 47% and 42% vs. 17%, respectively, both P < 0.001). Univariate analysis indicated that the presence of CKD was significantly associated with complex plaques both in the DTA and the PTA (both, P < 0.001); however, multivariate analysis indicated that the presence of CKD was associated with only complex plaques in the DTA (P < 0.05), but not with those in the PTA. Conclusion: The presence of CKD was associated with complex aortic plaques, with this association being stronger for complex plaques in the DTA than those in the PTA.     

Intracardiac calcification is a marker of generalized atherosclerosis

Aortic valve calcification (AVC) and carotid artery calcification (CAC) are considered to be markers of generalized atherosclerosis. However, the role of intracardiac calcification (ICC) (valvular and perivalvular calcification) is unclear. The objective of this retrospective study was to analyze the relationship between ICC and CAC, risk factors, and clinical atherosclerotic disease. Risk factors included age, sex, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension; clinical atherosclerosis comprised stroke, coronary artery disease, and peripheral artery disease. Between January 1, 2001, and January 1, 2004, all consecutive patients were enrolled into the study who underwent both carotid ultrasonography and transthoracic echocardiography examinations within 2 months. Patients with renal failure, substantial aortic stenosis, and carotid artery occlusion were excluded. There were 320 patients (104 men; mean +/- SEM age, 66.6 +/- 0.76 years). Positive results on carotid ultrasonography are defined as any CAC. Patients were categorized as having mild, moderate, or severe CAC. Positive results on transthoracic echocardiography were defined as any ICC; AVC was defined as mitral anulus calcification (MAC) or both. Intracardiac calcification was found in 181 patients, AVC in 51 patients, MAC in 48 patients, and calcification of both structures in 82 patients. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, ICC (odds ratio, 1.9), age (10-year periods) (odds ratio, 2.0), and the presence of peripheral artery disease (odds ratio, 1.7) were independent predictors of CAC. Carotid ultrasonography results were positive in 227 patients. For CAC, the sensitivities of AVC, MAC, both, and any ICC were 52.4%, 52.0%, 33.5%, and 71.2%, respectively, and the specificities were 84.9%, 87.1%, 92.5%, and 78.5%, respectively. The extension of ICC as 0, 1 location (AVC or MAC) , or 2 locations (AVC and MAC) was associated with the severity of CAC (P < .001, tau = 0.42). There was no difference between patients with AVC vs patients with MAC in the presence of different stages of CAC (P = .62). Intracardiac calcification (MAC or AVC) is an independent predictor of CAC as a marker of atherosclerosis, although the lack of ICC does not rule out atherosclerosis. Intracardiac calcification is related to CAC, with high specificity. The extension of ICC is related to the severity of atherosclerosis. Based on our results, antiatherothrombotic therapy should be considered in patients with ICC even before obtaining a positive carotid ultrasonography result.     

Skin aging parameters: A window to heart block

Background

Skin acts as a mirror to the internal state of the body.

Hypothesis

We tried to find the relation between skin aging parameters and the incidence of degenerative AV block.

Methods

This study included 97 patients divided into 2 groups; group D comprised 49 patients with advanced‐degree AV block, and group C comprised the 48 matched control group. All were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, calculation of intrinsic skin aging score, and resting 12‐lead surface electrocardiography (ECG). ECG for all patients assessed left ventricular end‐systolic diameter, left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter, ejection fraction, left atrium (LA) diameter, aortic root diameter, mitral annular calcification, aortic sclerosis. Coronary angiography was also performed when indicated for patients in group D.

Results

Patients in group D had a higher percentages of uneven pigmentation, fine skin wrinkles, lax appearance, seborrheic keratosis, total score > 7 (38 [77.55%] vs 10 [20.83%]), mitral annular calcification score of 33 (67.34%) vs 5 (10.41%), aortic sclerosis score of 21 (42.85%) vs 4 (8.33%), and mean LA diameter of 39.98 ± 5.52 vs 36.21 ± 3 mm (P < 0.001). Total score > 6 is the best cutoff value to predict advanced‐degree heart block with 89.79% sensitivity and 64.58% specificity. Seborrheic keratosis was the strongest independent predictor.

Conclusions

Any population with a total intrinsic skin aging score of >6 is at high risk for developing advanced‐degree AV block and should undergo periodic ECG follow‐up for early detection of any conduction disturbance in the early asymptomatic stages to minimize sudden cardiac death.     

Mitral annular calcification and aortic valve calcification may help in predicting significant coronary artery disease

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) and aortic valve calcification (AVC) are manifestations of atherosclerosis. To determine whether mitral annular calcification and aortic valve calcification detected by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) might help in predicting significant coronary artery disease (CAD), 123 patients with significant CAD and 93 patients without CAD detected by coronary angiography were investigated. MAC and AVC identified CAD with a sensitivity and specificity of 60.2%, 55.9% and 74.8%, 52.7%, respectively, and with a negative and a positive predictive values of 51.5%, 64.3% and 61.3% and 67.6%, respectively. The positive predictive value of MAC was greater than gender, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. AVC showed a positive predictive value greater than gender, hypertension, family history, and hypercholesterolemia. The negative predictive values of MAC and AVC for CAD were greater than those of all risk factors except diabetes mellitus. In conclusion, presence of MAC and AVC on TTE may help in predicting CAD and should be added to conventional risk factors. Absence of MVC and AVC is a stronger predictor for absence of CAD than all conventional risk factors, except diabetes mellitus. Patients with MAC and AVC should be taken into consideration for the presence of significant CAD and thereby for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in order to improve the prognosis.