Coronary flow reserve is impaired in patients with aortic valve calcification

Abstract Background Calcific aortic valve disease is an active and progressive condition. Data indicate that aortic valve calcification (AVC) is associated with endothelial dysfunction and accepted as a manifestation of atherosclerosis. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) determined by transthorasic echocardiography has been introduced as a reliable indicator for coronary microvascular function. In this study we aimed to evaluate CFR in patients with AVC. Methods Eighty patients, aged more than 60 years, without coronary heart disease or diabetes mellitus were included: 40 had AVC without significant stenosis (peak gradient across the valve