Bicuspid aortic valve leaflet morphology in relation to aortic root morphology: a study of 300 patients undergoing open-heart surgery

Abstract

In our study population, >50% of the patients admitted for surgery had a bicuspid valve. Aortic aneurysm was more common in BAV than in TAV patients. Aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation were equally common in TAV and BAV with normal aortic dimensions, while aortic regurgitation was predominant in TAV with dilated aortas and aortic stenosis in BAV with dilated aortas. Dilatation of the aorta was similarly distributed regardless of BAV leaflet morphology. These findings support the idea of an intrinsic mechanisms underlying dilatation of the aorta in BAV patients.