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Aortic root dilatation in young men with normally functioning bicuspid aortic valves.
1Sanitary Service, Regione Carabinieri Veneto, Via Brigata Padova 19, 35100 Padova, Italy. snistr@tin.it
Heart (British Cardiac Society)
|June 23, 1999
Summary
Young men with bicuspid aortic valves show enlarged aortic root dimensions, independent of other factors. This suggests a congenital aortic wall abnormality may cause aortic dilatation in some individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Medical Imaging
- Genetics
Background:
- Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common congenital heart defect.
- Aortic root dimensions in BAV patients require further characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate aortic root dimensions in young males with isolated, normally functioning BAV.
- To identify potential subgroups with aortic dilatation.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiographic and Doppler evaluation of 66 young men with BAV.
- Comparison with 70 age- and body surface area-matched controls.
- Assessment of aortic size at annulus, sinuses of Valsalva, supra-aortic ridge, and ascending aorta.
Main Results:
- Significantly larger aortic root diameters in BAV patients compared to controls at sinuses, supra-aortic ridge, and ascending aorta.
- Prevalence of aortic root dilatation was highest in the ascending aorta (43.9%).
- Over half of BAV patients (52%) exhibited abnormal aortic root dimensions.
Conclusions:
- Aortic root enlargement in BAV occurs independently of hemodynamic factors, age, and body size.
- Suggests a potential congenital abnormality of the aortic wall in BAV patients with dilatation.
- Identifies distinct subgroups within young adults with BAV, some with aortic dilatation.