Why do bicuspid aortic valves calcify?
As blood repeatedly flows over the aortic valve, calcium deposits can build up on the heart valves (aortic valve calcification). The calcium deposits may never cause any problems. Aortic valve stenosis that’s related to increasing age and calcium deposit buildup usually doesn’t cause symptoms until ages 70 or 80.
How is a calcified heart valve treated?
The primary option for treatment of calcification of the heart valves is surgery. For certain patients, focused ultrasound could provide a noninvasive alternative to surgery with less risk of complications – such as surgical wound healing or infection – at a lower cost.
How do you reverse aortic valve calcification?
Currently no clinical therapy is available to prevent or reverse this type of vascular calcification. Some possible targets to block and regress calcification include local and circulating inhibitors of calcification as well as factors that may ameliorate vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis [2].
How do you treat aortic valve calcification?
What is calcification of bicuspid aortic valves?
Calcification of bicuspid aortic valves. Calcific valve disease represents a disease spectrum that ranges from mild irregular valve thickening (or sclerosis) to severe valve obstruction Over the past decade, our concept of the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve disease has undergone a major transformation.
What is bicuspid aortic valve with 2 leaflets?
In bicuspid aortic valve, the valve has only two small parts, called leaflets, instead of the normal three. This condition is present from birth. It can occur with other heart defects. The heart’s ventricles are the two lower chambers of the heart.
When do you know you have a bicuspid aortic valve?
Many times, people may not even realize they have a bicuspid aortic valve until they have it diagnosed as adults. Most commonly, people start to have symptoms some time in middle age. Over time, the valve can become harder to open.
What is calcific aortic valve disease?
Calcific valve disease represents a disease spectrum that ranges from mild irregular valve thickening (or sclerosis) to severe valve obstruction Over the past decade, our concept of the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve disease has undergone a major transformation.