Heart valve calcification and cardiac hemodynamics. Issue 4 (11th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rossi, Andrea; Barbieri, Andrea; Benfari, Giovanni; Gaibazzi, Nicola; Erlicher, Andrea; Mureddu, Gianfrancesco; Frattini, Silvia; Faden, Giacomo; Manicardi, Marcella; Beraldi, Monica; Agostini, Francesco; Lazzarini, Valentina; Moreo, Antonella; Temporelli, Pier Luigi; Magni, Giovanna; Pressman, Gregg; Faggiano, Pompilio
• Is Part Of: Echocardiography. Volume 38:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 525
• Page End: 530
• Publication Date: 2021-03-11
• Subjects: diastolic function -- echocardiography -- heart valve calcification -- pulmonary artery pressure; Echocardiography -- Periodicals; Echocardiography -- Periodicals; 616.1207543
• DOI: 10.1111/echo.14994
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-2822

Abstract

Abstarct: 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.