Researchers link von Willebrand factor to heart-valve calcium deposits

Heart valves calcify over time, and Rice University scientists are beginning to understand why. The Rice lab of bioengineer Jane Grande-Allen found through studies of pigs' heart valves that age plays a critical role in the valves' progressive hardening, and the problem may be due to the infiltration of a protein known as von Willebrand factor (VWF). Tissues from pig valves are commonly used to make human heart-valve replacements...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cardiovascular / Cardiology Source Type: news