ABSTRACT
The hardening of arteries is commonly understood as a deposition of cholesterol in the pathways of the cardiovascular system. An additional significant complication is pathologic calcification. The latter complication is quite often overlooked in spite of the fact that it takes place in both blood vessels 1 and heart tissues. 2 Cardiovascular bioprostheses, when used for a prolonged time, also host calcific deposits that may severely limit the longevity and performance of the bioprostheses. 3–6
