Determinants and prognostic value of Galectin-3 in patients with aortic valve stenosis.

Objective: Myocardial fibrosis has been proposed as an outcome predictor in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) that may lead to consider prophylactic surgery. It can be detected using MRI but its widespread use is limited and development of substitute biomarkers is highly desirable. We analysed the determinants and prognostic value of galectin-3, one promising biomarker linked to myocardial fibrosis.

Haemodynamic and anatomic progression of aortic stenosis.

Background: Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is a progressive disease, but the impact of baseline AS haemodynamic or anatomic severity on AS progression remains unclear.

Methods: In 149 patients (104 mild AS, 36 moderate AS and 9 severe AS) enrolled in 2 ongoing prospective cohorts (COFRASA/GENERAC), we evaluated AS haemodynamic severity at baseline and yearly, thereafter, using echocardiography (mean pressure gradient (MPG)) and AS anatomic severity using CT (degree of aortic valve calcification (AVC)).

Results: After a mean follow-up of 2.

Prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide in elderly patients with aortic valve stenosis: the COFRASA-GENERAC study.

Objective: Previous studies suggested an independent prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in aortic valve stenosis (AS) but were impeded by small sample sizes and inclusion of relatively selected young patients. We aimed to evaluate the relationship among N-terminal fragment of proBNP (Nt-proBNP), AS severity, symptoms and outcome in a large cohort of elderly patients with AS.

Design: Observational cohort study, COhorte Française de Retrecissement Aortique du Sujet Agé (clinicalTrial.

Progression of aortic valve stenosis is associated with bone remodelling and secondary hyperparathyroidism in elderly patients--the COFRASA study.

Aims: There is currently no medical therapy that can prevent the progression of aortic valve stenosis (AS). Recent data highlight a possible relationship between bone metabolism and AS progression but prospective data are lacking.

Methods And Results: Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, 25-OH vitamin D, intact parathyroid hormon (iPTH), C-terminal-telopeptide of type-1-collagen (CTX) and osteocalcin were assessed at baseline in 110 elderly patients (age ≥70 years) with at least mild AS.