Measurements of aortic valve calcium by multidetector computed tomography : implication for the evaluation of paradoxical low-gradient aortic stenosis

Abstract

Aortic stenosis is a major public health problem with high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. It is generally caused by progressive thickening and calcification of the aortic valve. To date, the only treatment that can significantly improve the prognosis remains aortic valve replacement. As guidelines recommend performing surgery when aortic stenosis becomes severe and symptomatic, accurate assessment of its severity is a crucial step in the clinical decision-making process. “Paradoxical low-gradient aortic stenosis” is characterized by discrepancies in echocardiographic grading criteria, raising uncertainties about its actual severity and subsequently about its therapeutic management. The aims of this thesis work are to undertake further investigation about the characterization of the paradoxical low-gradient aortic stenosis entity and to improve true-severe aortic stenosis diagnosis using aortic valve calcium load measurements by multidetector computed tomography.(BIFA - Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques) -- UCL, 201