Impact of Wood Smoke Exposure on Aortic Valve Mineralization: Microvesicles as Mineral Conveyors in Patients with Coronary Stenosis

<b>Background:</b> Aortic valve calcification results from degenerative processes associated with several pathologies. These processes are influenced by age, chronic inflammation, and high concentrations of phosphate ions in the plasma, which contribute to induce mineralization in the aortic valve and deterioration of cardiovascular health. Environmental factors, such as wood smoke that emits harmful and carcinogenic pollutants, carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxide (NO_x), as well as other reactive compounds may also be implicated. The purpose of this research was to study the impact of wood smoke on specific aortic valve characteristics, including lesion size and percentage of mineralization, in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS). <b>Methods:</b> This observational study included 65 patients who underwent primary valve replacement surgery at the National Institute of Cardiology, 11 of whom were exposed to wood smoke. For each patient, approximately 0.5 cm of aortic valve tissue was collected along with a blood sample anticoagulated with sodium citrate. The valves were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Since extracellular microvesicles (MVs) may induce epigenetic changes in target cells by transferring their cargo, we also analyzed their mineral content. <b>Results:</b> Individuals exposed to wood smoke exhibit more extensive lesion (835 µm²) characteristics compared to those with no exposure (407.5 µm²). Interestingly, FESEM images of MVs showed the presence of minerals on their surface, thus providing evidence on their possible role in the pathophysiology of mineralization. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our study uniquely demonstrates imaging-based evidence of structural damage and mineralization in aortic valve tissue, with chronic wood smoke exposure emerging as a significant causative factor.