This study compares the role of M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography in the evaluation of the nonstenotic, congenitally bicuspid aortic valve. Ten asymptomatic healthy subjects (age 20-35 years) with a systolic ejection click and short systolic murmur were evaluated. M-mode echocardiograms were entirely normal. The aortic root, diastolic closure line, eccentricity index of the aortic val...

A case with an exceptional form of congenitally bicuspid aortic valve is described. A fibrous strand connected to the supra-aortic ridge supported the conjoined cusp, and severe pure aortic regurgitation was present although the fibrous strand remained intact. Aortic valve replacement was successfully performed.

Coronary artery anomalies combined with bicuspid aortic valve are rare but cause perioperative complications if not detected on time. Because anomalous coronary arteries vary with respect to the ostium’s origin and transverse route, the precise anatomy should be identified preoperatively and the procedure modified. We describe a severely stenotic bicuspid aortic valve and anomalous coronary art...

Aortic valve dysfunction may be the consequence of congenital malformation of the aortic valve. Unicuspid,'2 bicuspid,'-6 tricuspid,23 and quadricuspid68 aortic valves have all been described. We describe a patient who presented with cardiac enlargement caused by aortic valve incompetence and stenosis. Echocardiograms repeatedly showed multiple closing lines in the aortic valve orifice. This pa...

An anomalous origin of the left circumflex coronary artery that arises as a side branch of the right coronary artery from the right coronary sinus of Valsalva encircling the aortic annulus is usually an incidental finding. However, in patients undergoing aortic valve procedures, its existence can significantly complicate the surgical treatment. We report our operative strategy in patients with ...

Thoracic aortic aneurysm is a pathological local dilatation of the aorta, potentially leading to aortic rupture or dissection. The disease is a common complication of patients with bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital disorder present in 1-2% of the population. Using two dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis proteomics followed by mRNA expression, and alternative splicing analy...

BACKGROUND Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is being increasingly performed in patients with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis (AS). OBJECTIVES This study sought to compare the procedural and clinical outcomes in patients with bicuspid versus tricuspid AS from the Bicuspid AS TAVR multicenter registry. METHODS Outcomes of 561 patients with bicuspid AS and 4,546 patients with tricu...

OBJECTIVES Sinuses of Valsalva are important in assuring the physiological function of the aortic valve. This study evaluates short-term clinical results of the reimplantation technique for aortic valve-sparing root replacement using a new prosthesis with three separate sinuses of Valsalva (sinus prosthesis). METHODS Between February 2009 and February 2011, a total of 23 patients (20 m/3 f; m...

Background—Aortic valve–preserving procedures have resulted in excellent outcomes in selected patients, particularly those with normal aortic valve leaflets and dilated aortic roots. However, several congenital heart lesions are associated with abnormal aortic valve leaflets. The long-term results of aortic valve repair for these lesions are not well defined. Methods and Results—We reviewed the...

Dear Editor, A 39-year-old man with stable aortic regurgitation secondary to congenital bicuspid aortic valve was diagnosed with Streptococcus mitis infective endocarditis with low minimum inhibitory concentration to penicillin. Initial transoesophageal echocardiography demonstrated aortic root oedema with vegetations seen on the aortic valve. Despite improving clinical parameters on intravenou...