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Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2013 June;172(6):503-9

Copyright © 2013 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Biomarkers in calcific aortic valve disease

Incardona V. M., Dato E., Dato A. G.

Centro di Diagnostica Cardiovascolare del Dott. Dato Achille Giuseppe & C., Paternò, Catania, Italia

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common acquired valvular disorder in developed countries. CAVD ranges from mild thickening of the valve, known as aortic valve sclerosis (AVSc), to severe impairment of the valve motion, which is termed aortic valve stenosis (AVS). The prevalence of aortic sclerosis without obstruction of the left ventricular outflow is present in nearly 30% of adults over 65 years of age. The pathophysiological development of CAVD is incompletely defined. The major methods to diagnose CAVD are clinical examination, echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Biomarkers can give useful information about the presence, severity, progression and prognosis of CAVD. These markers provide the information necessary to optimize future therapeutic interventions.