Abstract
We thank Drs. Sari and Davutoglu [1] for their thought provoking letter regarding our paper entitled “Severe mitral annular calcification predicts chronic kidney disease” [2]. Certainly ectopic calcification of the heart (mitral annulus, aortic valve and coronary arteries) is more prevalent and more severe in patients with chronic kidney disease [3,4]. Whether this is due to abnormal phosphate and calcium metabolism, or chronic inflammation, or both is unclear at this time. It is also unclear why such calcification has a predilection for the posterior mitral annulus and aortic valve. Perhaps the dynamics of intracardiac blood flow play a role. The process does seem to be highly regulated and not passive, at least when the valves are involved [5]. Answers to these questions will become increasingly important as the population ages and we more frequently encounter the adverse consequences of cardiac calcification.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
