Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Aortopathy

Abstract

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease is a common valvular malformation found in 1-2% of the general population and is the underlying cause of aortic valve surgery in up to one third of patients in the United States. It is associated with nonvalvular cardiovascular abnormalities, such as aortic coarctation and dilatation of the ascending aorta and aortic sinuses. In general, surgical patients with BAV are younger than patients with tricuspid aortic valves undergoing aortic valve replacement. Similarly, ascending aortopathy associated with BAV becomes manifest at an earlier age than in patients with degenerative aortic disease. This chapter focuses on the current knowledge regarding the BAV and associated aortopathy.