Metabolic syndrome is associated with faster degeneration of bioprosthetic valves.

Background: Several studies have reported similarities between calcification of the native aortic valve and atherosclerosis. Recent studies also suggested that hypercholesterolemia may be a risk factor for calcific degeneration of bioprosthetic valves. The metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with a higher risk of vascular atherosclerosis.

Metabolic syndrome negatively influences disease progression and prognosis in aortic stenosis.

Objectives: This study sought to examine the association between the metabolic syndrome (MS) and the progression of aortic stenosis (AS).

Background: It has been suggested that aortic valve sclerosis and its progression to AS are caused by an atherosclerotic process. Metabolic syndrome is associated with a higher risk of vascular atherosclerosis.

Reduced systemic arterial compliance impacts significantly on left ventricular afterload and function in aortic stenosis: implications for diagnosis and treatment.

Objectives: We sought to determine to what extent systemic arterial compliance (SAC) might impact on afterload and left ventricular (LV) function in patients with aortic stenosis (AS).

Background: Although AS and reduced SAC may often coexist in the same patient, their relative impact on LV function is not well understood.

Methods: Systemic arterial compliance was calculated as the ratio of stroke volume index to arterial pulse pressure in 208 patients with at least moderate AS.

Hemodynamic performance at rest and during exercise after aortic valve replacement: comparison of pulmonary autografts versus aortic homografts.

Background: The Ross procedure and aortic homografts have both been shown to have superior hemodynamic performance after valve replacement, but there have been few comparisons.

Methods: Sequential Doppler echocardiograms were performed up to 5 years after aortic valve replacement in 132 patients with the Ross procedure and 111 patients with an aortic homograft (AH). Measurements included assessment of valvular regurgitation and calculations of valve effective orifice area (EOA) and mean transvalvular gradients; the same measurements were also performed at the level of the pulmonary homograft in the Ross patients as well as during maximum exercise in 20 Ross patients and 14 AH patients.