Cardiovascular Calcification and Bone Mineralization

The book covers the basic science and clinical aspects of cardiovascular calcification and bone mineralization. Cardiovascular calcification is the leading predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, with a predictive value more significant than blood lipid levels. The presence of calcific mineral in cardiovascular tissues alters biomechanical performance, increasing workload on the heart and potentiating atherosclerotic plaque rupture and subsequent heart attack and stroke. This book examines the role of calcification in cardiovascular disease covering topics such as calcification in the atherosclerotic plaques and aortic valves arteries and valves, aortic valve replacement, peripheral artery disease, imaging of early calcification and target discovery. In addition, various forms of ectopic calcification as well as mechanisms of bone mineralization are discussed.