Echocardiographic integrated backscatter for detecting progression and regression of aortic valve calcifications in rats.

Background: Calcification is an independent predictor of mortality in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of non-invasive, non-ionizing echocardiographic calibrated integrated backscatter (cIB) for monitoring progression and subsequent regression of aortic valvular calcifications in a rat model of reversible renal failure with CAVD, compared to histology.

Methods: 28 male Wistar rats were prospectively followed during 21 weeks.

Homocysteine measurement by Vitros Microtip homocysteine assay.

Background: Elevated circulating total homocysteine is an independent vascular risk factor. Enzymatic homocysteine measurements represent an alternative to HPLC- or immunochemistry-based assays, suitable for automation. Here, we report on analytical performance of a commercial cystathionine beta-synthase-based assay, for use on Vitros automated analyzers.