New understanding about calcific aortic stenosis and opportunities for pharmacologic intervention.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review article will discuss aortic stenosis, the evolving studies defining the cellular mechanisms and the potential for medical therapies for the treatment of this disease.

RECENT FINDINGS: Currently, the only therapy for these patients is surgical valve replacement. In the past decade there has been a change in the paradigm towards our understanding of the cellular biology of this disease process. Studies in laboratories across the world have demonstrated that this disease has an active biology and that this biology may be targeted with medical therapies similar to that of vascular atherosclerosis.

SUMMARY: Calcific aortic stenosis is the third most common form of cardiovascular disease in the USA. It has replaced rheumatic heart disease in prevalence in western countries due to improved access to healthcare and the widespread use of antibiotics.