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Recently observed histopathologic features of calcific aortic stenosis (AS) include inflammation, lipid infiltration, and endothelial dysfunction. These findings prompted researchers in Austria to conduct an observational study of the potential benefits of statin and ACE-inhibitor use in 211 consecutive patients with AS (mean age, 70). All had undergone at least two echocardiograms at least 6 months apart (mean interval, 24 months).
The 50 statin users were significantly older, and more often had coronary artery disease and histories of hypercholesterolemia, than the 161 nonusers. The 102 users of ACE inhibitors were significantly more likely to have hypertension and histories of hypercholesterolemia than were the 109 nonusers.
In the overall…