Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2007 | Research
Mitral Annulus Calcification is associated with valvular and cardiac structural abnormalities
Published in: Cardiovascular Ultrasound | Issue 1/2007
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Introduction
Mitral annulus calcification (MAC) is a common finding on echocardiographic examination. The goal of this study was to evaluate associations between MAC and cardiac abnormalities using a large echocardiographic database.
Methods
For this study we retrospectively reviewed 24,380 echocardiograms performed for clinical reasons between the years 1984 and 1998.
Results
MAC was reported in 1,494 (6.1%) subjects. Using multivariate analysis, age, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), mitral regurgitation (MR), tricuspid regurgitation (TR), aortic stenosis (AS), left atrial (LA) enlargement and reversed E/A ratio were independently associated with MAC.)MAC was noted in 11.7 % of patients with MR vs. 4.3% without MR (OR: 2.0, CI 1.6–2.6, p < 0.0001), in 13.9% of those with TR vs. 4.5% without TR (OR: 3.8, CI 2.9–4.8, p < 0.0001), in 10.6% with LVH vs. 4.2% without LVH (OR: 1.9, CI 1.5–2.4, p < 0.0001), in 14.8% with AS vs. 5.5% without AS (OR: 1.4, CI 1.08–1.9, p = 0.01), in 9.4% with reversed E/A ratio vs. 3.8% without reversed E/A ratio (OR: 1.7, CI 1.4–2.2, p < 0.0001) and in 8.2% with LA enlargement vs. 4.8% without LA enlargement (OR: 1.3, CI 1.06–1.7, p = 0.02).
Conclusion
In our study, MAC independently correlated with significant structural heart abnormalities. This suggests that identification of MAC may serve as a marker for other cardiac structural disorders.