Influence of cusp morphology and sex on quantitative valve composition in severe aortic stenosis

Kush P. Patel, Andrew Lin, Niraj Kumar, Giulia Esposito, Kajetan Grodecki, Guy Lloyd, Anthony Mathur, Andreas Baumbach, Michael J. Mullen, Michelle C. Williams, David E. Newby, Thomas A. Treibel, Marc R. Dweck, Damini Dey

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Abstract

Aims Aortic stenosis is characterized by fibrosis and calcification of the valve, with a higher proportion of fibrosis observed in women. Stenotic bicuspid aortic valves progress more rapidly than tricuspid valves, which may also influence the relative composition of the valve. We aimed to investigate the influence of cusp morphology on quantitative aortic valve composition quantified from contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography in severe aortic stenosis. Methods Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation with bicuspid and tricuspid valves were propensity matched 1:1 and results by age, sex, and comorbidities. Computed tomography angiograms were analysed using semi-automated software to quantify the fibrotic and calcific scores (volume/valve annular area) and the fibro-calcific ratio (fibrotic score/calcific score). The study population (n = 140) was elderly (76 ± 10 years, 62% male) and had a peak aortic jet velocity of 4.1 ± 0.7 m/s. Compared with those with tricuspid valves (n = 70), patients with bicuspid valves (n = 70) had higher fibrotic scores [204 (interquartile range 118–267) vs. 144 (99–208) mm3/cm2, P = 0.006] with similar calcific scores (P = 0.614). Women had greater fibrotic scores than men in bicuspid [224 (181–307) vs. 169 (109–247) mm3/cm2, P = 0.042] but not tricuspid valves (P = 0.232). Men had greater calcific scores than women in both bicuspid [203 (124–355) vs. 130 (70–182) mm3/cm2, P = 0.008] and tricuspid [177 (136–249) vs. 100 (62–150) mm3/cm2, P = 0.004] valves. Among both valve types, women had a greater fibro-calcific ratio compared with men [tricuspid 1.86 (0.94–2.56) vs. 0.86 (0.54–1.24), P = 0.001 and bicuspid 1.78 (1.21–2.90) vs. 0.74 (0.44–1.53), P = 0.001]. Conclusions In severe aortic stenosis, bicuspid valves have proportionately more fibrosis than tricuspid valves, especially in women.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1653-1660
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging
Volume24
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • aortic stenosis
  • bicuspid aortic valve
  • biology
  • calcification
  • fibrosis
  • sex

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