Colchicine and Inflammation in Aortic Stenosis

Exclusion Criteria

• •Heavily calcified aortic valve on echocardiography (defined as grade 4 calcification: extensive thickening/calcification of all cusps as described in the articles by Rosenhek et al.);
• •a planned aortic valve replacement in the next six months;
• •severe mitral valve stenosis (MVA \< 1cm2);
• •severe mitral or aortic valve regurgitation;
• •rheumatic aortic valve disease;
• •bicuspid aortic valve;
• •valvular disease due to history of chest radiation;
• •left ventricular dysfunction (LVEF \< 35%);
• •renal impairment (eGFR \<30 ml/min/1.73m2);
• •patients aged \<50 and \>80 years;
• •pre-existing chronic gastro-intestinal complaints which may obscure signs of colchicine intolerance;
• •child-bearing potential without the use of contraception;
• •use of CYP3A4 (e.g. verapamil) or P-glycoprotein inhibitors;
• •use of bisphosphonate or denosumab;
• •chronic use of immunosuppressants or anti-inflammatory drugs including colchicine and NSAID's (excl. acetylsalicylic acid);
• •active or chronic liver disease;
• •the presence of a pacemaker or internal cardiac defibrillator;
• •life expectancy \<2 years.