COMPARATIVE STUDY OF VALVULAR CALCIFICATIONS IN RHEUMATIC AND IN NONRHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

The increasing frequency of the diagnosis of calcifications of the cardiac valves during life makes it desirable to discuss not only their causation but also their possible clinical significance.

Thus far the greatest emphasis has been placed on calcifications of the aortic valve. Christian¹ first indicated that aortic stenosis with calcification of the cusps might be regarded as a definite clinical entity, possibly of rheumatic origin. Clawson, Noble and Lufkin² also stated that the clinical manifestations of the "calcified aortic nodular deformity" are sufficiently characteristic to warrant its designation as a separate entity, predominantly of a rheumatic nature. Willius and Camp³ at first did not agree with the theory of a rheumatic causation, but after further investigation Dry and Willius⁴ concluded that the etiologic factor was rheumatic. Other investigators, notably Mönckberg, Sohval and Gross and Margolies, Ziellessen and Barnes,⁵ stated the belief that calcification of the aortic valve is not