Bicuspid aortic valve

What is bicuspid aortic valve?

The aortic valve is the valve between the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) and the aorta, which carries oxygenated blood to the brain and body. The aortic valve normally has three leaflets (flaps) that serve as a one-way valve to allow blood through to the aorta and prevent it from leaking back into the pumping chamber.

Bicuspid aortic valve refers to aortic valves that have only two leaflets. Over time, the valve can become stenotic, resulting in varying degrees of obstruction across the valve. Additionally, the valve may begin to leak. The left ventricular function may be impaired with deterioration of valve function. The ascending portion of the aorta may also dilate. Usually, the diagnosis of a bicuspid aortic valve is made secondary to the presence of a cardiac murmur or in combination with other defects such as coarctation (narrowing) of the aorta.

Symptoms

Bicuspid aortic valve often is not diagnosed in infants or children because it usually is asymptomatic. Signs of a bicuspid aortic valve may include:

• Enlarged heart
• Heart murmur
• Weak pulse in the wrists and ankles

If the abnormal valve leaks or becomes narrow, complications will have symptoms such as:

• Baby or child tiring easily
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid and irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Fainting
• Pale skin
• Leakage of blood through the valve back into the heart
• Narrowing of the valve’s opening
• Congestive heart failure

Other congenital heart problems may cause symptoms that will reveal a bicuspid aortic valve.

Causes

Bicuspid aortic valve is a common congenital condition that often runs in families. Early in a pregnancy, as the fetus’ heart develops, an abnormal aortic valve develops. The cause of this condition is unknown.

Risk factors

A bicuspid aortic valve often exists in babies who have coarctation of the aorta and other diseases where there is a blockage to blood flow on the left side of the heart. Bicuspid aortic valve is more common in males than in females.

Patients with Turner syndrome (a congenital syndrome affecting females that often includes major heart defects) have an increased incidence of bicuspid aortic valve.

Diagnosis

Tests that may show a bicuspid aortic valve include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart
• Ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram)

If your healthcare provider suspects complications or additional heart defects, other tests may include:

• Chest X-rays
• Test of the electrical activity in the heart (electrocardiogram)
• X-ray of the heart’s blood vessels using a special dye (angiography)

Prognosis

A baby’s condition after a procedure depends on whether complications of bicuspid aortic valve are present, and how severe they are. Other congenital problems also may affect the child’s condition.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent the condition, but if bicuspid aortic valves run in your family, consult your healthcare provider before becoming pregnant.

Source: https://lenoxhill.northwell.edu/lenox-hill-heart-lung/cardiac-surgery/find-care/conditions/bicuspid-aortic-valve