The effects of hemodynamics on the inner layers of the aortic wall in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve

Abstract

Background: A bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital cardiac malformation and is associated with ascending aortic dilation in 60-80% of patients. Structural differences in aortic wall architecture have been noted between patients with BAV and a tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). The purpose of this study was to analyse a possible correlation between hemodynamics and vessel wall structure in aortopathy in BAV patients.