Incidence of coronary artery disease before valvular surgery in isolated severe aortic stenosis

Abstract

Background Angina pectoris has been recognized as one of the principal symptoms of aortic valve stenosis (AS), even in patients without significant coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the incidence of angina pectoris and related CAD in such patients is controversial. There is continuing debate as to whether coronary angiography is necessary before aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with severe AS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and predictors of CAD in patients with severe AS in a Korean population. Methods Data from all consecutive patients with severe AS undergoing AVR at a major tertiary cardiac and vascular center in Korea were entered in a prospective registry beginning in 1995. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up data were recorded into the database annually. Significant CAD was defined as one or more major coronary arteries having an estimated narrowing of ≥70% and left main coronary arteries having an estimated narrowing of ≥50% on coronary angiography. We excluded patients with multiple valve disease, significant aortic regurgitation, or prior CAD or valve surgery. Results Totally 574 patients with severe AS (mean age, (65.9±9.6) years) were enrolled in this study. Significant CAD was found in 61 patients (10.6%). Factors associated with increased likelihood of CAD were age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, carotid disease, and aorta calcification. In Logistic regression analysis, the independent predictor of the presence of CAD was age (P=0.011). The incidence of CAD increased significantly at 69.2 years of age. Having two risk factors for cardiovascular disease was the most useful cutoff to predict whether a patient was going to have significant CAD. Conclusions There was a low incidence of significant CAD in a population of Korean patients with severe AS. Therefore, coronary angiography before AVR will be considered in patients with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease or in patients more than 69 years of age without risk factors for cardiovascular disease.