Frequency and significance of aortic valve thickening in the asymptomatic elderly

Shin, Yung Woo

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The understanding of degenerative change of aortic valve due to aging process is required for evaluation of aortic valvular disease in the elderly, but no regional study had been completed. METHODS: We have analyzed the data from the asymptomatic, non-cardiac surgical patient above the age of 60 or older by using preoperative 2-D and Doppler echocardiography prospectively. RESULTS: We have observed the thickening of aortic valve in the age of 60 or older with trends of which is noticed earlier in female than in male and increased rapidly as the patient is older. In the group who have thickening of aortic valve. trans-aortic pressure gradient was significantly higher than those who have not. The mean trans-aortic peak pressure gradient of the group who have not thickening of aortic valve was 6.6+/-1.8mmHg. The frequency of aortic stenosis over 60 year-old showed the tendency of increased pattern as the case older, thickening of valve more severe. And the incidence of significant aortic stenosis is 0.6%. Aortic requrgitation in the gae of 60 or older was mainly noticed in the group who have thickening of aortic valve. and the incidence of significant aortic requrgitation is 2.1%. CONCLUSION: In the current study. we found no major difference in the incidence of thickening of aortic valve and significance of hemodynamics above age 60 or older compare to the western data.