Differential Roles of Calcification and Fibrosis in Aortic Stenosis: A Sex- and Morphology-Specific CT Analysis

Key Points

• The study aims to investigate the roles of calcification and fibrosis in aortic stenosis, emphasizing sex differences and morphology.
• Conducted a CT analysis to assess calcification and fibrosis in aortic stenosis cases.
• Examined the relationship of valvular calcification with disease severity using peak aortic jet velocity and indexed AVA.
• Identified differences in fibrosis patterns, particularly in women with BAV.
• Calcification is more strongly associated with disease severity in aortic stenosis.
• Fibrosis presents as a distinct feature that is more prominent in women with BAV.
• The findings suggest that both calcification and fibrosis contribute differently to aortic stenosis pathology.