Rate of progression of valvular aortic stenosis in patients undergoing dialysis.

Background: In patients undergoing dialysis, aortic valve calcification and aortic stenosis are frequently found. However, the rate of progression of aortic stenosis is still unclear.

Methods: In all, 55 consecutive patients undergoing dialysis were followed up by echocardiography for a period of 12 months. Patients were divided into two groups: noncalcification (no or mildly calcified aortic valve) and calcification (moderate or heavily calcified aortic valve).

Results: The rate of progression of maximum aortic jet velocity and degression of aortic valve area were more rapid in calcification group than in noncalcification group (0.37 +/- 0.36 m/s and 0.17 +/- 0.29 m/s, P = .027; 0.17 +/- 0.15 cm2 and 0.04 +/- 0.07 cm2, P < .001, respectively).

Conclusions: The degree of aortic stenosis progressed more rapidly in patients undergoing dialysis with aortic valve calcification than without aortic valve calcification.