DOCTOR'S VIEWS ARCHIVE
Topic: Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Dr. Lee:
Symptoms later in life of bicuspid aortic valve?
Dr. Michael Miyamoto:
There are two valvular functions that abnormalities can occur. The
first is that the valve can be leaky, causing what is called aortic
insufficiency. This is where the aortic valve does not close
completely and that allows blood to leak from the aorta back into the left
ventricle with every heart beat. Generally, the main risk of this is not
so much causing heart failure initially, rather the main practical risk
involves the risk of valve infection or endocarditis. Any abnormal valve
is at risk for becoming infected where bacteria in the blood can seed
itself into the abnormal valve structure and cause a full-blown infection,
which is generally quite serious. Because the leaky valve predisposes to
this, patients who have a bicuspid valve should generally all take
antibiotics prior to dental and other procedures that might conceivable
result in the presence of bacteria in the blood. The other main valvular
problem that can occur with this is stenosis or lockage of the valve or
narrowing of the valve such that the flow of blood through the valve is
impeded. This also generally occurs later in life between the 4th and 7th
decade of life, where progressive calcification of the valve occurs.
Because the valve is structurally abnormal, calcium can deposit on the
valve leaflets, which may result in progressive narrowing of the valve
orifice and progressive restriction of blood flow through the valve.
The published
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For more information, please see
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Last Editorial Review: 6/21/2000 6:38:00 AM
