Bicuspid Aortic Valve Regurgitation and Stenosis

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Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Open BAV

The opening of a BAV resembles the open mouth of a fish, leading to the term “fish mouth” valve.

Regurgitation, Stenosis Bicuspid Aortic Valve Regurgitation When the leaflets of the aortic valve do not come together well, it is possible for blood to flow back or leak into the heart again. This is called regurgitation or insufficiency. This leakage puts a strain on the heart, because it must re-pump some of the same blood again. As a result, the left ventricle becomes over loaded and stretches in diameter (dilated). In the early stages of this disease, symptoms are apparent during exercise only. Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis Some bicuspid aortic valves become stiff, calcified, and narrow. When this happens, it is called stenosis. When the valve opening becomes too small (critical stenosis), the heart must work too hard to pump blood through the small opening. This leads to a very thickened and over-strained left ventricle (concentric LV hypertrophy). As a result of an inefficient left ventricle, progressive diastolic heart failure can occur. The early stages of this condition are only noticeable during exercise (exercise intolerance).

Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Closed BAV

When closed, it may be difficult to distinguish a BAV from an aortic valve with all three leaflets.