In the realm of cardiovascular health, calcification within the vascular and valvular systems has emerged as a critical pathological issue, disrupting normal function and contributing to severe clinical outcomes such as hypertension, stroke, and heart failure. Initially perceived primarily as a passive accumulation related to aging or metabolic syndromes, recent research has illuminated the active biological facets of this process. This has shifted paradigms to view vascular calcification through a lens akin to bone formation, involving complex cellular and molecular activities. Yet, despite advances, the specific biomechanical pathways and their interactions with cellular mechanisms remain partially understood, underscoring a pressing need for deeper exploration.

This Research Topic aims to dissect the multifaceted role of biomechanics in the initiation, advancement, and clinical impact of cardiovascular calcification. By identifying and analyzing the mechanical stressors and cellular responses that contribute to calcification, we endeavor to clarify their contribution to disease progression and therapeutic outcomes. Further, we seek contributions that explore innovative therapeutic strategies to mitigate or reverse calcification, enhancing vascular and valvular function and patient prognosis.

To gather further insights in biomechanics and cellular responses in cardiovascular environments, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- The development of in vitro/ in vivo platforms to study the role of mechanical cues (e.g., hemodynamics, tensile stress, extracellular matrix stiffness) on the pathogenesis of valvular and/or vascular calcification
- Exploration of new molecular pathways of calcification, emphasizing the role of mechanotransduction
- Identification of biomarkers for tracking calcification progression and evaluating cardiovascular dysfunctions
- Advanced imaging techniques for detailed characterization of calcified tissues
- Computational modeling to understand the biomechanical implications of calcification
- Innovative therapeutic approaches to prevent or reverse cardiovascular calcification and discuss their biomechanical implications

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Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

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