October 26th, 2014
Genetic Study Suggests Possible Causal Role for LDL in Aortic Valve Disease
Larry Husten, PHD
Although LDL is an important risk factor for aortic valve disease, the precise role it plays has been uncertain. Lipid-lowering therapy in people with established aortic valve disease has not been shown to be beneficial. Now, however, a new genetic study published in JAMA suggests that LDL cholesterol may in fact cause an increase in aortic […]
May 19th, 2014
Case: A Young Pregnant Woman with Prior Valvular Disease and Increasing Dyspnea on Exertion
Reva Balakrishnan, MD, MPH and James Fang, MD
Reva Balakrishnan presents the case of a 22-year-old pregnant woman with a history of valvular disease who is experiencing an increase in dyspnea on exertion.
January 21st, 2014
Dangerous Rapid Calcification Observed In Pediatric Patients After Aortic Valve Replacement
Larry Husten, PHD
Pediatric cardiac surgeons at Boston Children’s Hospital are warning the medical community about a potentially fatal problem in children and young adults who received a bioprosthetic valve manufactured by Sorin. The surgeons initially became concerned when a young, asymptomatic patient died suddenly after her valve underwent rapid calcification, only 7 months after a routine follow-up echocardiogram found […]