Association between mitral annular calcification and carotid atheroma

Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a strong predictor of stroke and represen ts a potential source of cerebral emboli. The aim of this study was to inve stigate whether an association exists between mitral annular calcification and carotid atheroma. In addition, the characteristics of carotid atheromas were compared between patients with and without mitral annula calcificatio n. The authors found that there was a significant association between the p resence of mitral annular calcification and carotid atheroma. Mitral annula r calcification in the elderly may be a form of atherosclerosis.