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Published on: April 9, 2019
Bicuspid aortic valve: inter-racial difference in frequency and aortic dimensions.
Sonal Chandra1, Roberto M Lang, Jeremy Nicolarsen
1Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
JACC. Cardiovascular Imaging
|October 13, 2012
Summary
This study found that African-American patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) have smaller aortic dimensions than Caucasian patients, despite having more cardiovascular risk factors. Race may influence BAV disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a prevalent congenital heart defect.
- BAV is a leading cause of aortic valve replacement surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate racial disparities in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients.
- To compare Caucasian (C) and African-American (AA) patients regarding BAV morphology, stenosis/insufficiency severity, and aortic dilation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 183 patients with BAV from an echocardiographic database.
- Comprehensive assessment of aortic dimensions, valve morphology and function, and cardiovascular risk factors.
- Comparison of BAV characteristics between Caucasian and African-American cohorts.
Main Results:
- BAV is less frequent in African-Americans (0.17%) compared to Caucasians (1.1%).
- African-American patients were older and had higher hypertension rates.
- Caucasian patients exhibited significantly larger aortic dimensions (annulus, sinuses of Valsalva, sinotubular junction, ascending aorta) than African-American patients, even after adjusting for comorbidities.
Conclusions:
- This study highlights significant racial differences in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients.
- African-American patients with BAV show reduced aortic dimensions despite increased cardiovascular risk factors.
- Race may act as a disease modifier in the heterogeneous population with BAV.
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