Which of the following is the most common cause of aortic stenosis in a 78-year-old man?
- A Calcification of a congenitally bicuspid aortic valve
- B Degenerative calcification of a structurally normal tricuspid aortic valve ✓
- C Chronic rheumatic valvulitis with commissural fusion
- D Infective endocarditis with healed vegetations
Correct answer: B. Degenerative calcification of a structurally normal tricuspid aortic valve
Explanation
In patients over 70 years, age-related dystrophic calcification of a normal tricuspid aortic valve is the most common cause of aortic stenosis. Calcification of a bicuspid valve is the leading cause in patients aged 60 to 70 years, while rheumatic aortic stenosis has become uncommon and is almost always accompanied by mitral valve disease. Healed endocarditis produces regurgitation rather than stenosis.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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