Association between mitral annular calcium and carotid artery stenosis and role of age and gender

[A case of caseous calcification of mitral annulus resulting in multiple cerebral infarctions]

The patient is a 73-year-old woman. She presented with dysarthria, and a head MRI revealed multiple acute cerebral infarctions in the bilateral cerebral hemisphere and cerebellar hemisphere. Transesophageal echocardiography after admission revealed a 16 mm large mobile calcification of the mitral annulus (caseous calcification of the mitral annulus; CCMA) on the posterior apex of the mitral valve annulus. Since the CCMA had a high risk of relapse, and a new infarction was detected on the 8th day, resection of the mass and mitral valve replacement surgery were performed. CCMA is a subtype of mitral annular calcification (MAC). When calcification progresses from the MAC state to form a mass, it is called a calcified amorphous tumor; CAT. Reports of embolic cerebral infarction caused by CAT are rare, but this is a rare report of an embolic cerebral infarction from CCMA presenting as CAT.

Current methods to assess mitral annular calcification and its risk factors

INTRODUCTION

Mitral annulus calcification (MAC) is a chronic, non-inflammatory, degenerative mechanism of the fibrous base of the mitral valve. While MAC was originally thought to be an age-related degenerative process, there is evidence that other mechanisms, such as atherosclerosis and abnormal calcium phosphorus metabolism, also contribute to the development of MAC.

AREAS COVERED

This paper summarizes, existing perception of clinically valid definition of MAC and the pathophysiological processes that lead to the development of MAC and the diagnostic implications of this disease entity.

EXPERT OPINION

Minimal evidence exists on the natural history and progression of MAC. Characterization of MAC progression and identification of predisposing risk factors can help to validate hypotheses. MAC is most commonly asymptomatic and incidental finding. Echocardiography is the primary imaging modality for identification and characterization of MAC and associated mitral valve (MV) disease. For patients with an indication for MV surgery, computed tomography (CT) is a complementary imaging modality for MAC. MAC is generally recognized by its characteristic density, location, and shape on echocardiography and CT, unusual variants are sometimes confused with other lesions.

Caseous Calcification of the Mitral Annulus

Soft-tissue masses or mass-like lesions involving the mitral valve include a wide range of diseases such as tumors, abscesses, vegetations, thrombus and, rarely, caseous calcifications of the mitral annulus. Caseous calcifications of the mitral annulus is a rare variant of mitral annular calcification that is usually asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. Echocardiography is the first-choice imaging modality. Cardiac computed tomography is an ideal tool to confirm the presence of calcifications and caseous necrosis. In cases where there is doubt, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may be used. We present the case of a 62-year-old patient with an intra-cardiac mass diagnosed by echocardiography. Imaging modalities to achieve a correct diagnosis and avoid unnecessary surgical intervention are discussed.

Guidelines for the Use of Echocardiography in the Evaluation of a Cardiac Source of Embolism

Embolism from the heart or the thoracic aorta often leads to clinically significant morbidity and mortality due to transient ischemic attack, stroke or occlusion of peripheral arteries. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography are the key diagnostic modalities for evaluation, diagnosis, and management of stroke, systemic and pulmonary embolism. This document provides comprehensive American Society of Echocardiography guidelines on the use of echocardiography for evaluation of cardiac sources of embolism. It describes general mechanisms of stroke and systemic embolism; the specific role of cardiac and aortic sources in stroke, and systemic and pulmonary embolism; the role of echocardiography in evaluation, diagnosis, and management of cardiac and aortic sources of emboli including the incremental value of contrast and 3D echocardiography; and a brief description of alternative imaging techniques and their role in the evaluation of cardiac sources of emboli. Specific guidelines are provided for each category of embolic sources including the left atrium and left atrial appendage, left ventricle, heart valves, cardiac tumors, and thoracic aorta. In addition, there are recommendation regarding pulmonary embolism, and embolism related to cardiovascular surgery and percutaneous procedures. The guidelines also include a dedicated section on cardiac sources of embolism in pediatric populations.

Applying the Gender Lens to Risk Factors and Outcome after Adult Cardiac Surgery

Background

Applying the gender lens to risk factors and outcome after adult cardiac surgery is of major clinical interest, as the inclusion of sex and gender in research design and analysis may guarantee more comprehensive cardiovascular science and may consecutively result in a more effective surgical treatment as well as cost savings in cardiac surgery.

Methods

We have reviewed classical cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking) according to a gender-based approach. Furthermore, we have examined comorbidities such as depression, renal insufficiency, and hormonal influences in regard to gender. Gender-sensitive economic aspects have been evaluated, surgical outcome has been analyzed, and cardiovascular research has been considered from a gender perspective.

Results

The influence of typical risk factors and outcome after cardiac surgery has been evaluated from a gender perspective, and the gender-specific distribution of these risk factors is reported on. The named comorbidities are listed. Economic aspects demonstrated a gender gap. Outcome after coronary and valvular surgeries as well as after heart transplantation are displayed in this regard. Results after postoperative use of intra-aortic balloon pump are shown. Gender-related aspects of clinical and biomedical cardiosurgical research are reported.

Conclusions

Female gender has become an independent risk factor of survival after the majority of cardiosurgical procedures. Severely impaired left ventricular ejection fraction independently predicts survival in men, whereas age does in females.

Carotid intima–media thickness, carotid distensibility and mitral, aortic valve calcification: a useful diagnostic parameter of systemic atherosclerotic disease

BACKGROUND

Mitral (MAC) and aortic (AVC) calcification are observed more frequently in the elderly and are associated with coronary artery disease, aortic atheroma and peripheral arterial atherosclerotic disease. Common carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and distensibility (cDIST) are also independent predictors of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We examined the relationship between the degree of MAC-AVC and cIMT and cDIST.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One hundred and forty-three patients referred for transthoracic echocardiography and carotid artery echo-Doppler were evaluated; the variables measured were: systemic blood pressure, pulse pressure; body mass index, traditional risk factors, cIMT, cDIST (cDIST = [(csD - cdD)/PP]/csD; where csD and cdD were systolic and diastolic carotid diameters, respectively). MAC and AVC score, based on acoustic densitometry, were: 1 = absence of annular/valvular (av) sclerosis/calcification; 2 = av sclerosis; 3 = av calcification; 4 = av calcification; 5 = av calcification with no recognition of the leaflets; the resulting score was the highest for either valvular annulus. Mean cIMT increased linearly with increasing valvular calcification score (P < 0.0001) whereas cDIST decreased for scores 1 to 5 (P < 0.0001). Distribution of cIMT quartiles showed that 75% of the patients in the lowest quartile had a score of 1 and 70% of patients in the highest quartile had a score of 5; 47% of the patients in the highest quartile of cDIST had a score of 1, whereas 60% of patients in the lowest quartile of cDIST had a score of 4.

CONCLUSIONS

The MAC and AVC score identifies subgroups of patients with different cIMT and cDIST. These data may confirm MAC-AVC as a useful important diagnostic parameter of systemic atherosclerotic disease.

A medical therapy for aortic valve sclerosis and aortic valve stenosis? Rationale of the ASSIST study (Asymptomatic aortic Sclerosis/Stenosis: Influence of STatins): a large, observational, prospective, multicenter study of the Italian Society of Cardiovascular Echography

Progression of sclerosis and stenosis is substantially unpredictable in the individual patient: in some cases it is very slow, in others it is accelerated. In addition, different patterns of progression (linear and non-linear) are possible. It has been suggested that the aortic valve lesion can be considered a form within the spectrum of the same atherosclerotic disease. In this context it seemed reasonable to hypothesize that targeted medical therapy could retard the progression of the disease. In particular HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been tested. The first experimental and clinical studies are now available, even though they are not conclusive to date. Large, prospective, randomized trials are ideally needed, but they are quite difficult, if not even impossible, to realize in practice. The ASSIST study (Asymptomatic aortic Sclerosis/Stenosis: Influence of STatins) of the Italian Society of Cardiovascular Echography aims to create a large, prospective, observational investigation, involving many centers of echocardiography and thousands of patients, in order to provide from the real clinical world at least some of the answers to this unsolved question.

Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus: unusual case of spontaneous resolution

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a common echocardiographic finding. Caseous calcification is a rare variant appearing as a round, tumor-like mass with central echolucent area located in the periannular region. Although occasionally misdiagnosed as a tumor and submitted to exploratory cardiotomy, this lesion appears to carry a benign prognosis. The true significance of caseous calcification is unknown; it might be an early and reversible stage of MAC or an atheroma-like lesion. We describe a case of caseous calcification with spontaneous resolution in a 60-year-old woman-such a finding should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracardiac masses.

Association of mitral annulus calcification, aortic valve calcification with carotid intima media thickness

Background

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) and aortic annular calcification (AVC) may represent a manifestation of generalized atherosclerosis in the elederly. Alterations in vascular structure, as indexed by the intima media thickness (IMT), are also recognized as independent predictors of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Aim

To examine the relationship between the degree of calcification at mitral and/or aortic valve annulus and large artery structure (thickness).

Methods

We evaluated 102 consecutive patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography and carotid artery echoDoppler for various indications; variables measured were: systemic blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure (PP=SBP-DBP), body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, total, HDL, LDL chlolesterol, triglycerides, cIMT. The patients were divided according to a grading of valvular/annular lesions independent scores based on acoustic densitometry: 1 = annular/valvular sclerosis/calcification absence; 2 = annular/valvular sclerosis; 3 = annular calcification; 4 = annular-valvular calcification; 5 = valvular calcification with no recognition of the leaflets.

Results

Patient score was the highest observed for either valvular/annulus. Mean cIMT increased linearly with increasing valvular calcification score, ranging from 3.9 ± 0.48 mm in controls to 12.9 ± 1.8 mm in those subjects scored 5 (p < 0.0001). In the first to fourth quartile of cIMT values the respective maximal percentual of score were: score 1: 76.1%, score 2: 70.1%, score 4: 54.3% and score 5: 69.5% (p > 0.0001).

Conclusion

MAC and AVC score can identify subgroups of patients with different cIMT values which indicate different incidence and prevalence of systemic artery diseases. This data may confirm MAC-AVC as a useful important diagnostic parameter of systemic atherosclerotic disease.