165: Various serum biomarkers express multiple processes leading to calcific aortic stenosis

BackgroundCalcific aortic stenosis (CAS) is seen in a large proportion of individuals after 60 years (yrs). Various biomarkers (BMs) are studied, as regards mechanisms, diagnosis and prognosis. We studied some pertinent markers expressing divergent processes.Patients-MethodsWe prospectively studied the following BMs in 60 pts with CAS and compared them to 20 C free from any cardiac disease: Fetuin- A (Fet), a calcification inhibiting glycoprotein, Sclerostin (SOST) and OPN, calcification markers, metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) which promotes collagen degradation, Tenancin C a tissue collagen formation protein, and IL-2 and TNFa, inflammatory markers. Mean±SD of pts vs C was assessed.ResultsThe age of pts with CAS was higher than than that of C (66.1±12.5 vs 34.4.0±7.5 yrs, P<0.001). As regards BMs in CAS pts Fet was not different from C (476.0±118.0 vs 481.1±83.03μg/ml, NS); SOST was significantly higher (2.59±0.79 vs 0.8±0.43ng/ml P<0.005), as well as OPN (23.02±11.6 vs 17.26±5.5ng/ml P=0.019). MMP-2 was also higher (8.65±1.67 vs 0.48±0.22ng/ml, P<0.001), as well as Tenascin C (67.1±25.9 vs 48.03±24.9ng/ml, P<0.001); IL-2 (968.2±399.5 vs 755.7±118.6pg/ml, P=0.001) and TNFa (16.23±11.8 vs 2.75±3.3pg/ml, P<0.0001). Additionally, preliminary findings show that Toll-like-receptors (TLR) are increased: TLR2 19.5±1.0, 10pts vs 0.6±0.2ng/ml, 4 C, (p<0.001), and TLR7 36.6±5.4 vs 0.6±02,(p