[Pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve stenosis]

Abstract

Calcific aortic valve stenosis is the most common heart valve disorder in the elderly and the most common cause of heart valve replacement in industrialized countries. For decades, it was considered a passive age-dependent degeneration of the valve tissue. Newer studies have shown, however, that the pathologic changes in calcific aortic valve stenosis are based on an actively regulated process of matrix remodeling and biomineralization. This review summarizes the currently available data and gives an outlook on potential therapeutic approaches.