RISK OF STROKE IN A COHORT OF 815 PATIENTS WITH CALCIFICATION OF THE AORTIC-VALVE WITH OR WITHOUT STENOSIS

Background and Purpose We sought to establish the possible role of cal cification of the aortic valve with or without stenosis as a risk fact or for stroke. Methods Occurrences of stroke, stroke subtypes, and con comitant cardiovascular risk factors were prospectively analyzed in 30 0 patients with echocardiographic evidence of aortic valve calcificati on, 515 patients with calcified aortic valve stenosis, and 562 control subjects. Results Twenty-four patients with aortic valve calcificatio n, 24 patients with calcified aortic valve stenosis, and 27 control su bjects had a stroke during follow-up. Using Cox proportional hazards m odels, we found that strokes were not significantly associated with ao rtic valve calcification with or without stenosis, but hypertension an d any carotid stenosis were associated. On multiple logistic regressio n analysis, we did not find any association between one of the two val ve lesions and indirect possible indications of cardiogenic embolism s uch as territorial as opposed to small deep brain infarcts or the pres ence of silent brain infarcts. Conclusions Aortic valve calcification with or without stenosis is not a risk factor for stroke.