Current Approach to Bicuspid Aortic Valve: Review

Mehmet Demir

Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Education and Research Hospital Cardiology Department Bursa/Turkey.

E-mail: drmehmetmd@gmail.com;  Tel: +90 2242573328

Accepted 04 June, 2012

Abstract

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)  is the most common congenital cardiac anomaly.  The most frequent associated finding is dilation of the proximal ascending aorta secondary to abnormalities of the aortic media. The BAV may function normally throughout life, may develop complications can include aortic valve stenosis or incompetence, endocarditis, aortic aneurysm formation, and aortic dissection.  Aortic root dilatation is common in BAV, even when the valve is haemodynamically normal, and consequently aortic dissection usually occurs in previously asymptomatic patients. All patients should therefore be regularly reviewed to identify progressive root dilatation with a view to preempting dissection by prophylactic surgery.

Keyword: bicuspid aortic valve; aortic media abnormality; aortic aneurysm and dissection.