Bone and cartilage metaplasia in calcific aortic stenosis

Abstract

Background/ Aim. Recent studies have shown that process of aortic calcification is often active and closely related to the formation of bone tissue in calcific aortic stenosis. The aim was to analyze the demographic characteristics of patients with calcified aortic stenosis, the most common symptoms, comorbidities and risk factors, incidence of bone and cartilage metaplasia and its possible association with the present comorbidities, as well as its clinical importance. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 115 patients reffered to the University Hospital from January 2013 to December 2015. Results. Calcific aortic stenosis occured more frequently in males. The average age of patients was 67.3 years. The majority of patients were non-smokers, overweight. The most common clinical symptoms were fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain. Eighteen patients (15.6%) had no symptoms. Seventeen patients (14.8%) had cartilaginous and osseous metaplasia. Gender, age, smoking and BMI (Body Mass Index) had the same distribution among patients with and without metaplasia. Metaplasia was equally prevalent among patients with moderate, severe and critical aortic stenosis. Conclusions. Age, sex, smoking, BMI and blood pressure values are not risk factors neither for osseous nor for cartilaginous metaplasia.

Chondromatous metaplasia within native cardiac valves: clinicopathologic characterization with particular focus upon aortic valves

“…Although our study may be limited, no prior study described the prevalence of chondromatous metaplasia among tricuspid or pulmonic valves. The prevalence rate of chondromatous metaplasia in aortic valves of the presented cohort (6.1%) is in the range reported previously of 2.1-7% [4][5][6]10]. Steiner et al described a combined rate of chondromatous metaplasia among aortic and mitral valves of 3.7% [3].…”