RDW is a simple and inexpensive parameter, which reflects the degree of anisocytosis. Evidence from recent studies indicates that anisocytosis is common in most of the cardiovascular diseases and is related to their prognosis. Relation between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) levels and aortic valve sclerosis (AVSc) has not been investigated so far. Our aim is to investigate the relation between RDW and AVSc. This is a single center, retrospective cohort study. A total of 250 patients, 136 patients (mean age 65.4±7.7 years) with AVSc and 114 patients (mean age 68.5±6.8 years) as control group were enrolled. The serum RDW levels of two groups were compared. RDW levels were higher and statistically significant in patients with aortic sclerosis compared to the control group [14.1 (12.4-19 .1) vs 14.0 (11.7-17.1) p=0.044]. In multivariate regression analysis, high levels of RDW were associated with aortic sclerosis (OR=1.474, p=0.005), while hs-CRP was excluded from the analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the correlation between RDW and Aortic valve sclerosis. Exploring the causes of RDW increment may contribute to our knowledge about pathogenesis of aortic sclerosis and our treatment strategies.
Key words: Aortic valve sclerosis, Red blood cell Distribution Width (RDW), Atherosclerosis
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