Effects of an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker on aortic valve sclerosis in a preclinical model.

Background: Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is a chronic progressive disease involving lipid infiltration, inflammation, and tissue calcification. Despite its high prevalence, there are currently no clinically approved pharmaceuticals for the management of AVS. The objective of the current study was to elucidate the effects of an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, alone or in combination with statin therapy, on the progression of AVS.

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker inhibits arterial calcification in a pre-clinical model.

Aims: Arterial calcification is a common complication of several disorders and is a strong predictor of mortality. The mechanism underlying arterial calcification is not fully understood and as such, no pharmaceutical therapies are currently available which impede its progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) on arterial calcification.