Calcific aortic stenosis is a frequently encountered condition in middle to old age, with ongoing debate regarding its rheumatic versus nonrheumatic etiology.
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
Milton W. Anderson (1952) conducted a review in Calcific aortic stenosis. Calcific aortic stenosis is a frequently encountered condition in middle to old age, with ongoing debate regarding its rheumatic versus nonrheumatic etiology.