Methods and materials for treating calcific aortic valve stenosis

Abstract

This document provides methods and materials involved in treating cardiovascular conditions such as calcific aortic valve stenosis. For example, methods and materials for using sGC agonists or a combination of sGC agonists and PDE5A inhibitors to reduce calcification of heart valves and/or vessels or to slow progression of aortic sclerosis to calcific aortic valve stenosis are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for slowing progression of calcification of a heart valve or vessel, wherein said method comprises:
 (a) identifying a mammal as being at risk for heart valve calcification or vessel calcification, and   (b) administering a sGC agonist to said mammal, thereby slowing progression of calcification of a heart valve or vessel within said mammal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sGC agonist is selected from the group consisting of YC-I, BAY 58-2667, BAY 41-2272, BAY-41-8543, BAY 63-2521, and HMR1766. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises administering a PDE5A inhibitor to said mammal. 
     
     
         5 . A method for slowing progression of aortic sclerosis to calcific aortic valve stenosis, wherein said method comprises:
 (a) identifying a mammal having aortic sclerosis, and   (b) administering a sGC agonist to said mammal, thereby slowing progression of aortic sclerosis to calcific aortic valve stenosis within said mammal.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said sGC agonist is selected from the group consisting of YC-I, BAY 58-2667, BAY 41-2272, BAY-41-8543, BAY 63-2521, and HMR1766. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said method comprises administering a PDE5A inhibitor to said mammal.