Gender disparities in aortic stenosis: an optimised assessment using contrast-enhanced computed tomography

Introduction Non-contrast CT aortic valve calcium scoring (AVC) provides assessment of disease severity in aortic stenosis (AS). However, gender differences in the pathogenesis of AS are apparent. Contrast-enhanced CT has the potential to assess both valve calcification and fibrosis but to date has been relatively unexplored. Methods Volunteers (39 mild, 78 moderate, 26 severe AS; 20% female) underwent echocardiography, non-contrast and contrast-enhanced CT. AVC was measured on non-contrast CT. Contrast-enhanced CT was used to quantify volumes of calcium and non-calcific valve thickening (fibrosis). Results Contrast-enhanced CT calcium volumes correlated closely with AVC (r=0.86, p versus females: 0.56 [0.09–1.22], p Conclusion Contrast-enhanced CT can be used to quantify calcific and fibrotic valve thickening in AS and may be able to address gender discrepancies in the assessment of disease severity.