Calcific Aortic Valve Disease

Calcific Aortic Valve Disease (CAVD) is a progressive cardiovascular condition where calcium deposits accumulate on the aortic valve leaflets, leading to stiffness, reduced mobility, and obstructed blood flow from the heart to the aorta. Primarily affecting older adults, it often starts as aortic valve sclerosis—a thickening without significant obstruction—and can evolve into severe aortic stenosis, increasing heart workload and risking heart failure. Risk factors include aging, bicuspid aortic valve, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, chronic kidney disease, smoking, and rheumatic heart disease.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Early stages may be asymptomatic, but progression brings shortness of breath, chest pain (angina), fatigue, dizziness, syncope, palpitations, and heart murmurs. Diagnosis relies on echocardiography to assess valve area (mild >1.5 cm², moderate 1-1.5 cm², severe <1 cm²), alongside physical exams, CT scans, or cardiac catheterization.

Treatment Options

Mild cases involve watchful waiting and medications like statins, beta-blockers, or ACE inhibitors to manage risks. Severe symptomatic cases require intervention: surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with mechanical or bioprosthetic valves, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for high-risk patients. Untreated severe CAVD risks arrhythmias, emboli, or sudden death, but timely replacement improves survival and function.