Natural History of Asymptomatic Patients With Normally Functioning or Minimally Dysfunctional Bicuspid Aortic Valve in the Community

Abstract

In the community, asymptomatic patients with bicuspid aortic valve and no or minimal hemodynamic abnormality enjoy excellent long-term survival but incur frequent cardiovascular events, particularly with progressive valve dysfunction. Echocardiographic valve degeneration at diagnosis separates higher-risk patients who require regular assessment from lower-risk patients who require only episodic follow-up.