Mitral Annular Calcification(MAC) and Heart Failure Risk (AJC, 2025)
Mitral Annular Calcification(MAC) and Heart Failure Risk (AJC, 2025)
Source: Pressman G, et al. The American Journal of Cardiology.
Reported in medical news, Nov 5, 2025.
Keynotes:
1-Study design:
database analysis of >21,000 patients (MAC vs. no-MAC), all aged >50 and free of prior heart failure.
2-Key findings:
• Patients with MAC were:
• 3.8× more likely to develop HFpEF
• 2.2× more likely to develop HFrEF
• 2.8× more likely to develop any heart failure
• HFpEF + MAC patients had higher rates of hospitalization, ICU admission, valve replacement, and pacemaker implantation.
3-Comorbidities:
MAC was also linked to greater risks of ischemic heart disease, stroke, aortic stenosis, acute renal failure, and even cardiogenic shock.
Conclusion:
Mitral annular calcification is a strong, independent predictor of heart failure—especially HFpEF—with risk far exceeding that of obesity across BMI categories.
