Elevated lipoprotein(a) in mitral and aortic valve calcification and disease: The Copenhagen General Population Study

Background: Guidelines recommend measurement of the aortic valve calcification (AVC) score to help differentiate between severe and nonsevere aortic stenosis, but a paucity exists in data about AVC in the general population. The aim of this study was to describe the natural history of AVC progression in the general population and to identify potential sex differences in factors associated with this progression rate. Methods: Noncontrast cardiac computed tomography was performed in 1298 randomly selected women and men aged 65 to 74 years who participated in the DANCAVAS trial (Danish Cardiovascular Screening). Participants were invited to attend a reexamination after 4 years. The AVC score was measured at the computed tomography, and AVC progression (ΔAVC) was defined as the difference between AVC scores at baseline and follow-up. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with ΔAVC. Results: Among the 1298 invited citizens, 823 accepted to participate in the follow-up examination. The mean age at follow-up was 73 years. Men had significantly higher AVC scores at baseline (median AVC score 13 Agatston Units [AU; interquartile range, 0–94 AU] versus 1 AU [interquartile range, 0–22 AU], P <0.001) and a higher ΔAVC (median 26 AU [interquartile range, 0–101 AU] versus 4 AU [interquartile range, 0–37 AU], P <0.001) than women. In the fully adjusted model, the most important factor associated with ΔAVC was the baseline AVC score. However, hypertension was associated with ΔAVC in women (incidence rate ratios, 1.58 [95% CI, 1.06–2.34], P =0.024) but not in men, whereas dyslipidemia was associated with ΔAVC in men (incidence rate ratio: 1.66 [95% CI, 1.18–2.34], P =0.004) but not in women. Conclusions: The magnitude of the AVC score was the most important marker of AVC progression. However, sex differences were significant; hence, dyslipidemia was associated with AVC progression only among men; hypertension with AVC progression only among women. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.isrctn.com ; Unique identifier: ISRCTN12157806.

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The association between aortic valve calcification, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiac size and function in a general population

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1007/s10554-020-02012-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lida Khurrami ◽

Jacob Eifer Møller ◽

Jordi Sanchez Dahl ◽

Rasmus Carter-Storch ◽

Nicolaj Lyhne Christensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Aortic Valve ◽

General Population ◽

Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽

Aortic Valve Calcification ◽

Valve Calcification ◽

And Function

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Triglycerides and remnant cholesterol associated with risk of aortic valve stenosis: Mendelian randomization in the Copenhagen General Population Study

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa172 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (24) ◽

pp. 2288-2299 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Morten Kaltoft ◽

Anne Langsted ◽

Børge G Nordestgaard

Keyword(s):

Aortic Valve ◽

General Population ◽

Aortic Valve Stenosis ◽

Population Study ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

General Population Study ◽

Plasma Triglycerides ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Remnant Cholesterol

Abstract Aims We tested the hypothesis that higher levels of plasma triglycerides and remnant cholesterol are observationally and genetically associated with increased risk of aortic valve stenosis. Methods and results We included 108 559 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study. Plasma triglycerides, remnant cholesterol (total cholesterol minus low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and 16 genetic variants causing such increased or decreased levels were determined. Incident aortic valve stenosis occurred in 1593 individuals. Observationally compared to individuals with triglycerides <1 mmol/L (<89 mg/dL), the multifactorially adjusted hazard ratio for aortic valve stenosis was 1.02 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–1.19] for individuals with triglycerides of 1.0–1.9 mmol/L (89–176 mg/dL), 1.22 (1.02–1.46) for 2.0–2.9 mmol/L (177–265 mg/dL), 1.40 (1.11–1.77) for 3.0–3.9 mmol/L (266–353 mg/dL), 1.29 (0.88–1.90) for 4.0–4.9 mmol/L (354–442 mg/dL), and 1.52 (1.02–2.27) for individuals with triglycerides ≥5 mmol/L (≥443 mg/dL). By age 85, the cumulative incidence of aortic valve stenosis was 5.1% for individuals with plasma triglycerides <2.0 mmol/L (77 mg/dL), 6.5% at 2.0–4.9 mmol/L (177–442 mg/dL), and 8.2% for individuals with plasma triglycerides ≥5.0 mmol/L (443 mg/dL). The corresponding values for remnant cholesterol categories were 4.8% for <0.5 mmol/L (19 mg/dL), 5.6% for 0.5–1.4 mmol/L (19–57 mg/dL), and 7.4% for ≥1.5 mmol/L (58 mg/dL). Genetically, compared to individuals with allele score 13–16, odds ratios for aortic valve stenosis were 1.30 (95% CI 1.20–1.42; Δtriglycerides +12%; Δremnant cholesterol +11%) for allele score 17–18, 1.41 (1.31–1.52; +25%; +22%) for allele score 19–20, and 1.51 (1.22–1.86; +51%; +44%) for individuals with allele score 21–23. Conclusion Higher triglycerides and remnant cholesterol were observationally and genetically associated with increased risk of aortic valve stenosis.

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Aortic valve calcification among elderly males from the general population, associated echocardiographic findings, and clinical implications

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1093/ehjci/jeab182 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lida Khurrami ◽

Jacob Eifer Møller ◽

Jes Sanddal Lindholt ◽

Jordi Sancez Dahl ◽

Maise Hoeigaard Fredgart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aortic Valve ◽

General Population ◽

Peak Velocity ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Steady Increase ◽

Aortic Valve Area ◽

Aortic Valve Calcification ◽

Valve Calcification ◽

Background Population ◽

Echocardiographic Findings

Abstract Aims Aortic valve calcification (AVC) detected by non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) associates with morbidity and mortality in patients with aortic valve stenosis. However, the importance of AVC in the general population is sparsely evaluated. We intend to describe the associations between AVC score on NCCT and echocardiographic findings as left atrial (LA) dilatation, left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, aortic valve area (AVA), peak velocity, mean gradient, and aortic valve replacement (AVR) in a population with AVC scores ≥300 AU. Methods and results Of 10 471 males aged 65–74 years from the Danish Cardiovascular Screening trial (DANCAVAS), participants with AVC score ≥300 AU were invited for transthoracic echocardiography and 828 (77%) of 1075 accepted the invitation. AVC scores were categorized (300–599, 600–799, 800–1199, and ≥1200 AU). AVR was obtained from registries. AVC was significantly associated with a steady increase in LA dilation (10.5%, 16.3%, 15.8%, 19.6%, P = 0.031), LV hypertrophy (3.9%, 6.6%, 8.9%, 10.1%, P = 0.021), peak velocity (1.7, 1.9, 2.1, 2.8 m/s, P = 0001), mean gradient (6, 8, 11, 19 mmHg, P = 0.0001), and a decrease in AVA (2.0, 1.9, 1.7, 1.3 cm2, P = 0.0001). The area under the curve was 0.79, 0.93, and 0.92 for AVA ≤1.5 cm2, peak velocity ≥3.0 m/s, and mean gradient ≥20 mmHg, respectively, and the associated optimal AVC score thresholds were 734, 1081, and 1019 AU. AVC > 1200 AU was associated with AVR (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Among males from the background population, increasing AVC scores were associated with LA dilatation, LV hypertrophy, AVA, peak aortic velocity, mean aortic gradient, and AVR.

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