Calcification of Aortic Valve with Stenosis

Calcification of Aortic Valve with Stenosis •This is an excised stenotic aortic valve replaced by a prosthesis. It is the complete native valve. •The valve is very deformed by severe calcific stenosis. •Only 2 cusp like structures can be identified, markedly thickened by nodular and granular calcific aggregates. •Two causes are possible. One is a congenital bicuspid aortic valve deformed by degenerative calcific stenosis. The other is a healed rheumatic valvulitis with marked degenerative changes due to hemodynamic injury and possibly acquired degenerative calcific stenosis as well. (Description By:J. Hasson, M.D. ) (Image Contrib. by: Hartford Hospital )