Calcific Aortic Stenosis: From Bench to the Bedside—emerging Clinical and Cellular Concepts

alcific aortic stenosis is the third most common cause of aortic valve disease in developed countries. This condition increases in prevalence with advancing age, afflicting 2-3% of the population by the age of 65 years. The natural history, as described by Ross and Braunwald, shows that severe symptomatic aortic stenosis is associated with a life expectancy less than five years. 2 Despite the high prevalence of this condition and the increasing morbidity and mortality, very little is known regarding the cellular basis of calcific aortic stenosis.