Publications by authors named "M Pillich"
Calcific aortic valve stenosis, the most frequent heart valve disorder in developed countries, is an actively regulated process with similarities to bone formation. Fetuin-A has recently been identified as a potent circulating inhibitor of calcification. While several studies involving patients with end-stage renal disease have shown an association between low serum fetuin-A and cardiovascular calcification, nothing is known about fetuin-A serum levels in non-renal patients with calcific aortic valve stenosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to evaluate the relationship between serum calcium levels and the degree of calcification found in stenotic aortic valves.
Methods: Using atomic absorption spectroscopy, the hydroxyapatite content of 228 excised human stenotic aortic valves was determined and expressed as a percentage of valve mass. Left heart catheterization preceded valve replacement.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to explore the coexistence of atherosclerotic changes in patients with non-rheumatic calcific aortic valve stenosis (AS), highlighting the shared risk factors between these conditions.
- In a sample of 282 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement due to severe calcific stenosis, researchers assessed the prevalence of atherosclerosis using coronary angiography and Doppler sonography.
- Findings revealed a significant association between coronary and extracranial cerebral artery atherosclerosis, with high prevalence rates, especially in older patients, suggesting the need for routine screenings for atherosclerosis in those with calcific AS.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to explore the relationship between APOE gene variants and aortic stenosis (AS) using a large sample of patients with AS and healthy controls.
- Patients were assessed for heart disease symptoms and risk factors, while their APOE alleles were analyzed through genetic testing.
- The findings indicated that the presence of the APOE e4 allele does not have a significant association with AS, suggesting that the genetic influences on coronary artery disease (CAD) and AS may differ.