[Differences between degenerative (non-inflammatory) calcinosis- related stenosis of the aortic valve and the rheumatic calcinosis- induced aortic valve stenosis].

Calcified aortic valves were detected in 109 patients studied in hospital by an echocardiographic method (2D- and M-scanning). It was found that, unlike rheumatism, calcification starting in the aortic annulus and semilunar bases might result in formation of degenerative (non-inflammatory) calcific aortic stenosis. The latter differs from rheumatic aortic stenosis in commissural fusions. The authors defined clinical and echocardiographic differentially diagnostic criteria for degenerative (non-inflammatory) and rheumatic (inflammatory) calcific aortic stenosis. They also discussed pathogenetic aspects of aortic valve calcification and problems of terminology.