Clinical and Pathological Considerations in Cases of Calcific Aortic Stenosis

Chronic cardiac disease due to, or associated with, calcific aortic stenosis is encountered frequently in the practice of internal medicine. Calcific aortic stenosis is an entity of clinical significance either when it produces symptoms of cardiac malfunction or when it appears as an asymptomatic complication. Public health measures and improved medical care have increased longevity in this country. Since calcific aortic stenosis is largely a lesion that comes to the fore in middle life or old age, it now is met frequently. Much of the literature concerning calcific aortic stenosis has pertained to the controversy concerning the cause of this valvular deformity. Dry and Willius¹and later, Karsner and Koletsky²added strong evidence favoring rheumatic fever as the causative factor. Other authors have presented evidence in favor of a nonrheumatic origin.³It is possible that, in some instances, the resultant valvular deformity may be due to a