Development of a Laboratory Model of Aortic Valve Calcification

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most prevalent heart valve disease in the U.S. and is characterized by the formation of calcific lesions within the valve leaflets [1]. The emerging hemodynamic theory of CAVD pathogenesis assumes a link between gradual hemodynamic alterations caused by the growing lesions and further disease progression [2–5]. In order to test this hypothesis, it is necessary to quantify the hemodynamic changes experienced downstream of a calcifying valve.