Electron Beam Computed Tomography for the Quantification of Aortic Valvular Calcification
Jorge R. Kizer MD, Warren B. Gefter MD, Andrew S. deLemos BA, Benjamin J. Scoll BA, Megan L. Wolfe BS, Emile R. Mohler, III MD

Calcific aortic stenosis is the most common lesion requiring surgical valve replacement. Growing longevity continues to increase the prevalence of ÔsenileÕ aortic stenosis; up to 3% of patients aged >75 years may have severe aortic stenosis. Among patients with mild aortic stenosis, approximately 40% will progress to severe obstruction. The determinants of progression, however, remain incompletely understood. The reliability of electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) to quantify aortic valvular calcium content was assessed. EBCT calcium scores were found to be reproducible and to be related inversely to aortic valve area. EBCT holds promise for quantification of calcium accumulation and for assessing drug therapies capable of arresting this process.