Calcific Disease of the Aortic Valve

Abstract

In this monograph the authors present a new and authoritative evaluation of an old and controversial subject. Beginning with Valsalva, they have made a comprehensive survey of the literature on calcific disease of the aortic valve. They have reviewed the classic studies of Monckeberg on the histology of normal and sclerotic aortic valves, and with this as a background they have analyzed their own 200 cases observed at necropsy. The anatomic analysis is carefully made, and with the aid of proper statistics they have been able to extract from their material a truer picture of certain factors involved in this disease than have any previous investigators. Excellent tables, charts and photographs help to present clearly the typical anatomic observations and the numerical data. The authors point out the preponderance of cases in persons over 50 years of age, the relatively high incidence in males as opposed to females (1.6 to