Aortic valve apoptosis, cell proliferation and atherosclerosis in experimental hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Degenerative aortic valvular disease is a common medical condition. With the decline of acute rheumatic fever, aortic valvular dysfunction secondary to degeneration has become the most common indication for surgical valve replacement. The cost of this disease in morbidity, mortality and dollars is substantial. Despite the high prevalence of degenerative aortic stenosis, the cellular causes are virtually unknown. Recent analysis evaluating the risk factors leading to degenerative aortic valvular disease have found inciting factors similar to those of vascular atherosclerosis, such as smoking, male gender, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol levels [1].