Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) is a frequent condition associated with significant morbidity. In Western countries, severe CAVS is present in ∼3–5% of individuals >70 years old. The number of individuals with an indication for aortic valve replacement is expected to double by 2050, leading to a significant health and economic burden on society.There is currently no effective medical therapy to prevent this condition, in part because of our incomplete understanding of the disease process. Despite evidence for genetic susceptibility from family studies, only a handful of genes have been identified as directly associated with disease risk.