Valvular & structural heart disease
Association between plasma phosphate/pyrophosphate ratio and computed tomography–derived aortic valve calcification score in an unselected cohort of cardiovascular patients
Authors' conclusion
This is the first study to investigate the association between PPi homeostasis and AVC in humans. The plasma Pi/PPi ratio was significantly positively associated with the AVC load even after adjustment for traditional risk factors.
Study context
- Population
- Cardiovascular patients referred for cardiac computed tomography (CT), including individuals with severe aortic stenosispatients referred for cardiac CT, including 43 individuals with severe aortic stenosis
- Participants
- 154 patients
- Exposure
- Association of plasma PPi concentration and Pi/PPi ratio with the degree of aortic valve calcification (AVC) (aortic valve calcium score (AVCS) on non-contrast CT)
- Outcome
- Population characteristics and AVC prevalence
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Age
67 ± 12 years
Female
42.5%
Some degree of AVC
42%
AVC range
9-6641 AU
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Estimate | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Association with AVCS, univariate analysisUnivariate analysis | 1508.1 | P = 0.015 |
| Determinants of AVCS, multivariate analysisSE 562.5 · multivariate analysis | 1128.6 | P = 0.047 |
- Association with AVCS, univariate analysis: standard error (SE) 616.0; positive association with degree of AVC
Correlates of plasma PPi
- Significant positive association with plasma Pi and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration
- Inversely related to alkaline phosphatase activity
- When controlled for age, female patients had higher PPi levels
Association with AVCS, univariate analysis
- Plasma PPi level did not show an association with AVCS
- Age, hypertension, plasma lipoprotein(a) concentration, and statin treatment also significantly positively associated
- Estimated glomerular filtration rate and LDL-C level showed significant negative associations
Determinants of AVCS, multivariate analysis
- Only age and Pi/PPi ratio remained significant determinant of the AVCS
Original publication
Association between plasma phosphate/pyrophosphate ratio and computed tomography–derived aortic valve calcification score in an unselected cohort of cardiovascular patients. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. Published 30 August 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →