TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC VISUALIZATION OF CALCIFICATION OF THESINOTUBULAR RIDGE OF THE ASCENDING AORTA

Calcification of the ridge between the sinus of Valsalva and the tubul ar segments of the ascending aorta has been documented at autopsy, but no echocardiographic description has yet been published. We describe the two-dimensional echocardiographic appearances in 33 men (mean age, 69 years). Sinotubular ridge calcification manifested as a dense smal l echo projecting into the aortic lumen, precisely at the junction of the sinus of Valsalva and tubular aortic segments. Calcification in th e aortic valve cusps, mitral annulus, basal mitral leaflets, and papil lary muscles also were frequently present. This previously unknown ent ity must be distinguished from atheromatous aortic plaques.