0428: Ferric iron deposits: cause or consequence of calcifications?

The presence of intravalve hemorrhage close to calcium crystals has recently been described in calcified aortic valves histologic slides. Those hemorrhages can play a pathogenic and initiating role in calcification process but they could also be a mere consequence of the mechanical damage due to calcifications. We aimed at assessing whether iron deposits are present both in calcified valves and non calcified valves. Aortic valves deriving from...