Atherosclerosis of the aorta is common in patients with severe aortic stenosis: An intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic study

There is a strong association between the presence of severe aortic stenosis and the presence and severity of aortic atheromas, suggesting that aortic stenosis might be a manifestation of the atherosclerotic process. These findings imply that (1) aggressive atherosclerotic risk-factor modification for patients with aortic stenosis might be advisable and (2) consideration of evaluation of the aorta by means of transesophageal echocardiography before aortic valve replacement in selected patients might be helpful.