Aortic valve calcification and increased stiffness of the proximal thoracic ascending aorta: association with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and early chronic kidney disease

Purpose The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the severity of aortic valve calcification (AVC) and stiffness of the proximal thoracic ascending aorta (TAA), and to examine their influence on left ventricular (LV) function and renal function.