Progression of aortic valve sclerosis to aortic stenosis

This retrospective study shows that aortic valve sclerosis may be a progressive disease, with approximately 1/3 of subjects with aortic valve thickening and/or calcification developing some degree of valve stenosis during mid-term follow-up, but without a detectable pressure gradient by continuous-wave Doppler at initial evaluation. These data should be taken into account in the management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and in the planning of studies directed to evaluate the effects of intervention on the progression of aortic valve disease.