Aortic Stenosis Associated Left Ventricular Remodeling - An Investigation of Genetic and Gender Specific Differences in 170 Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery

Genetic polymorphisms betweem low flow low gradient and high flow high gradient aortic stenosis patients

The goal of this study is to investigate the genetic and gender specific differences, in
 patients with low flow low gradient aortic stenosis and high flow high gradient aortic
 stenosis. Patients referred for surgical aorticvalve replacement will be offered to
 participarte in the study.
 
 The main questions the study aims to answer are:
 
 1. Low-gradient aortic stenosis is associated with differences in valvular concentration of
 the genes that code for mast-cell chymase, Angiotensin-II, ACE, ACE2 and Angiotensin
 receptor 1 and 2.
 
 2. Low-gradient aortic stenosis is associated with differences in the genetic code of
 renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
 
 3. Gender differences in LV remodelling associates with different levels of sexual
 hormones.
 
 Patients participating in the study will be asked to undergo:
 
 - Cardiac ultrasound, MR- and CT-scan prior to surgery
 
 - Blooddraw prior to surgery.
 
 - Heartmuscle biopsy during surgery
 
 - Cardiac MR-scan 1 year after surgery.