New therapeutic targets for calcific aortic valve stenosis: the lipoprotein(a)-lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2-oxidized phospholipid axis.

Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) is the most common form of acquired valvular heart disease, present in 3% of the population more than 75 years of age (1). Although risk factors are similar for CAVS and atherosclerosis, ~50% of patients with CAVS do not have clinically significant cardiovascular disease (CVD), suggesting related, but unique, pathophysiology (1). Although surgical aortic valve replacement remains the gold standard treatment for most patients, at least one-third of symptomatic patients with CAVS may not undergo surgical aortic valve replacement.