MicroRNAs distribution in different phenotypes of Aortic Stenosis.

ABSTRACT

Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) represents a cluster of different phenotypes, considering gradient and flow pattern. Circulating micro RNAs may reflect specific pathophysiological processes and could be useful biomarkers to identify disease. We assessed 80 patients (81, 76.7-84 years; 46, 57.5%females) with severe AVS. We performed bio-humoral evaluation (including circulating miRNA-1, 21, 29, 133) and 2D-echocardiography. Patients were classified according to ACC/AHA groups (D1-D3) and flow-gradient classification, considering normal/low flow, (NF/LF) and normal/high gradient, (NG/HG). Patients with reduced ejection fractionwere characterized by higher levels of miRNA1 (p = 0.003) and miRNA 133 (p = 0.03). LF condition was associated with higher levels of miRNA1 (p = 0.02) and miRNA21 (p = 0.02). Levels of miRNA21 were increased in patients with reduced Global longitudinal strain (p = 0.03). LF-HG and LF-LG showed higher levels of miRNA1 expression (p = 0.005). At one-year follow-up miRNA21 and miRNA29 levels resulted significant independent predictors of reverse remodeling and systolic function increase, respectively. Different phenotypes of AVS may express differential levels and types of miRNAs, which may retain a pathophysiological role in pro-hypertrophic and pro-fibrotic processes.