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Figure 1 Assessment of Aortic Valve Calcifications
The presence and severity of aortic valve calcifications were assessed on double oblique transverse reconstructions. The degree of aortic valve calcification was graded as follows: grade 1—no calcification; grade 2—mildly calcified (small isolated spots); grade 3—moderately calcified (multiple larger spots); grade 4—heavily calcified (extensive calcification of all cusps). Extensive calcifications may hamper the ability to cross the native valve during percutaneous aortic valve replacement. Therefore, multislice computed tomography may provide important information in the selection of potential candidates.
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