Inverse association between bone mineral density and risk of aortic stenosis in men and women in EPIC–Norfolk prospective study

Abstract

Calcification processes with pathological bone formation play a key role for development and progression of degenerative aortic valve stenosis [1]. A study in mice suggested a potential link between bone metabolism and valve calcification by showing an inverse correlation [2]. Notably, disorders involving bone mineral metabolism such as Paget disease and haemodialysis [3] are associated with an increased prevalence of aortic stenosis. A working group of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has recently underscored the importance of identifying the relationship between calcification of the aortic valve and bone and the reciprocal regulation of these processes as a basis for better understanding pathogenesis of calcific aortic stenosis and development of preventive interventions [1].