Inflamed heart valve surrounded by glowing biomarkers

Aortic Stenosis: Unlocking the Secrets of Inflammation for Better Heart Health

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Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 5 min read.

"Discover how inflammation in aortic stenosis is shaping the future of heart disease biomarkers and what it means for you."


Aortic stenosis (AS), a common heart valve disease, affects many, especially in Western countries. For years, treatment was limited, but the introduction of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has changed the game. TAVR offers a less invasive option for those at high risk during traditional surgery, marking a significant advancement in cardiac care.

Despite TAVR's success, there are still gaps in our understanding of AS. We don’t fully know what causes aortic valve degeneration, making it difficult to predict the course of the disease or identify who is most at risk. This lack of clarity has spurred intense research into biomarkers that can help us better understand and manage AS.

Like vascular atherosclerosis, AS involves chronic inflammation of the heart valve. While there's plenty of research on inflammation and biomarkers in atherosclerosis, there's less information about their role in AS. Scientists are now exploring how inflammatory biomarkers and other circulating molecules affect AS pathophysiology, seeking new ways to diagnose and treat this condition.

How Inflammation and Growth Factors Impact Heart Remodeling in Aortic Stenosis

Inflamed heart valve surrounded by glowing biomarkers

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), or the thickening of the heart's main pumping chamber, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular events in AS. However, the severity of LVH varies among AS patients, and the degree of AS only partially accounts for this variation. This has led researchers to investigate the role of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in explaining why LVH differs from person to person. Understanding these factors could provide insights into cardiac remodeling in AS.

A recent study in the International Journal of Cardiology by Kim and colleagues takes a deep dive into the role of inflammatory markers in AS patients undergoing TAVR. The researchers measured serum levels of multiple cytokines and active molecules in a large group of AS patients. They then looked at how these levels correlated with demographic, echocardiographic, and LV remodeling-related parameters after TAVR.

  • Key Findings: The study revealed that while many patients had normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at the start, most showed abnormal global longitudinal strain (GLS), diastolic dysfunction (elevated mitral E/e' ratio), and increased LV mass index (LVMI).
  • Cytokine Patterns: The analysis uncovered a unique pattern of association between circulating molecules, increases in LVMI, and decreases in GLS.
  • HGF and LVMI: Higher baseline LVMI was strongly linked to elevated levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Though higher HGF levels were also associated with low GLS values, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D was strongly tied to GLS reduction.
  • Canonical Growth Factors: Despite the involvement of other cytokines, the most significant associations were found with two well-known growth factors that profoundly affect how heart muscle cells respond to stress.
The researchers also evaluated LV structural and functional parameters using echocardiography one year post-TAVR. While most patients saw a reduction in transaortic gradient and an increase in aortic valve area, only a third experienced a reduction in LVMI. Approximately half showed improved GLS, suggesting that LV structural changes, like LVH regression, take longer to occur post-TAVR. Identifying biomarkers that predict ventricular recovery after TAVR could significantly improve disease management. The study found that high HGF levels were associated with less LVMI reduction and GLS improvement after TAVR, while high levels of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were positively correlated with LVMI reduction.

The Future of Biomarkers in Aortic Stenosis

In conclusion, Kim et al.'s study offers a comprehensive overview of inflammatory cytokines linked to LV function in AS and functional recovery after TAVR. By mapping the inflammatory network in AS, this research provides potential sources for clinically valuable biomarkers. Further research, including a careful assessment of the 'chronic inflammatory state' in AS, should continue to refine our understanding and treatment of this condition.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What exactly is aortic stenosis?

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common heart valve disease, especially prevalent in Western countries. It involves the narrowing of the aortic valve, which obstructs blood flow from the heart to the aorta and the rest of the body. This puts strain on the heart, potentially leading to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

2

Why is inflammation important in aortic stenosis?

Inflammation plays a critical role in the development and progression of aortic stenosis (AS). Like in vascular atherosclerosis, chronic inflammation affects the heart valve, contributing to its degeneration. Understanding the specific inflammatory pathways and molecules involved can help in identifying potential biomarkers for early diagnosis, risk stratification, and targeted treatments to manage AS more effectively.

3

What is TAVR, and how does it relate to aortic stenosis?

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a less invasive procedure used to treat aortic stenosis (AS), particularly for patients at high risk during traditional surgery. During TAVR, a new valve is inserted through a catheter, replacing the diseased aortic valve. While TAVR has significantly improved outcomes for many patients with AS, ongoing research aims to predict ventricular recovery after TAVR to further improve disease management.

4

What is left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and how is it related to aortic stenosis?

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the thickening of the heart's main pumping chamber and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular events in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). However, the severity of LVH varies among individuals with AS. Inflammatory cytokines and growth factors like hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) play a role in explaining these variations, impacting cardiac remodeling and influencing the outcomes post-TAVR.

5

How can biomarkers help in managing aortic stenosis?

Biomarkers can improve the clinical management of aortic stenosis (AS) by predicting disease progression, assessing the effectiveness of treatments like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and identifying patients at high risk of adverse outcomes. Specific biomarkers such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are under investigation for their roles in cardiac remodeling and functional recovery after TAVR. Further research is needed to refine our understanding of the chronic inflammatory state in AS and its impact on patient outcomes.

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