A bicuspid aortic valve is an aortic valve that only has two leaflets, instead of three.
The aortic valve regulates blood flow from the heart into the aorta, the major blood vessel that brings blood to the body.
Alternative NamesBicommissural aortic valve
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe aortic valve allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the heart to the aorta. It prevents the blood from flowing back from the aorta into the heart when the pumping chamber relaxes.
Bicuspid aortic valve is present at birth (congenital). An abnormal aortic valve develops during the early weeks of pregnancy, when the baby's heart develops. The cause of this problem is unclear, but it is the most common congenital heart disease. It often runs in families.
The bicuspid aortic valve may not be completely effective at stopping blood from leaking back into the heart. This is called aortic regurgitation. The aortic valve may also become stiff and not open up as well, causing the heart to have to pump harder than usual to get blood past the valve (aortic stenosis). The aorta may become enlarged with this condition.
This condition is more common among males than females.
A bicuspid aortic valve often exists in babies with coarctation of the aortaand other diseases in which there is a blockage to blood flow on the left side of the heart.
SymptomsMost of the time, bicuspid aortic valve is not diagnosed in infants or children because it causes no symptoms. However, the abnormal valve can leak or become narrow.
Symptoms of such complications may include:
If a baby has other congenital heart problems, they may cause symptoms that will lead to the discovery of a bicuspid aortic valve.
Signs and testsSigns of a bicuspid aortic valve may include:
Tests that may show a bicuspid aortic valve include:
If the health care provider suspects complications or additional heart defects, other tests may include:
The infant may need surgery to repair a leaky or narrowed valve, if complications are severe.
A narrowed valve can also be opened through cardiac catheterization. A fine tube (catheter) is directed to the heart and into the narrow opening of the aortic valve. A balloon attached to the end of the tube is inflated, to make the opening of the valve larger.
Critically ill babies with a severely narrowed valve may need medications. These medications improve the baby's condition so that either surgery or a balloon procedure is possible.
Medications may include:
Children with a bicuspid aortic valve are more likely to develop an infection inside the heart (endocarditis). Therefore, they must take antibiotics before undergoing dental treatments. Some children may not be able to exercise or participate in strenuous activities because of the valve.
See also: Pediatric heart surgery
Expectations (prognosis)How well the baby does depends on whether complications of bicuspid aortic valve are present, and how severe they are.
The presence of other physical problems at birth also can affect how well a baby does.
Most babies with this condition have no symptoms, and the problem is not diagnosed until they are adults. Some people never find out that they have this problem.
ComplicationsComplications of bicuspid aortic valve include:
Call your health care provider if your baby:
Bicuspid aortic valves run in families. If you know of this condition in your family, speak to your health care provider before becoming pregnant. There is no known way to prevent the condition.
ReferencesOtto CM, Bonow RO. Valvular Heart disease. In: Braunwald E, Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow R. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 62.
Park MK. Park: Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2008.
A bicuspid aortic valve is an aortic valve that only has two leaflets, instead of three.
The aortic valve regulates blood flow from the heart into the aorta, the major blood vessel that brings blood to the body.
Alternative NamesBicommissural aortic valve
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe aortic valve allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the heart to the aorta. It prevents the blood from flowing back from the aorta into the heart when the pumping chamber relaxes.
Bicuspid aortic valve is present at birth (congenital). An abnormal aortic valve develops during the early weeks of pregnancy, when the baby's heart develops. The cause of this problem is unclear, but it is the most common congenital heart disease. It often runs in families.
The bicuspid aortic valve may not be completely effective at stopping blood from leaking back into the heart. This is called aortic regurgitation. The aortic valve may also become stiff and not open up as well, causing the heart to have to pump harder than usual to get blood past the valve (aortic stenosis). The aorta may become enlarged with this condition.
This condition is more common among males than females.
A bicuspid aortic valve often exists in babies with coarctation of the aortaand other diseases in which there is a blockage to blood flow on the left side of the heart.
SymptomsMost of the time, bicuspid aortic valve is not diagnosed in infants or children because it causes no symptoms. However, the abnormal valve can leak or become narrow.
Symptoms of such complications may include:
If a baby has other congenital heart problems, they may cause symptoms that will lead to the discovery of a bicuspid aortic valve.
Signs and testsSigns of a bicuspid aortic valve may include:
Tests that may show a bicuspid aortic valve include:
If the health care provider suspects complications or additional heart defects, other tests may include:
The infant may need surgery to repair a leaky or narrowed valve, if complications are severe.
A narrowed valve can also be opened through cardiac catheterization. A fine tube (catheter) is directed to the heart and into the narrow opening of the aortic valve. A balloon attached to the end of the tube is inflated, to make the opening of the valve larger.
Critically ill babies with a severely narrowed valve may need medications. These medications improve the baby's condition so that either surgery or a balloon procedure is possible.
Medications may include:
See also: Pediatric heart surgery
Expectations (prognosis)How well the baby does depends on whether complications of bicuspid aortic valve are present, and how severe they are.
The presence of other physical problems at birth also can affect how well a baby does.
Most babies with this condition have no symptoms, and the problem is not diagnosed until they are adults. Some people never find out that they have this problem.
ComplicationsComplications of bicuspid aortic valve include:
Call your health care provider if your baby:
Bicuspid aortic valves run in families. If you know of this condition in your family, speak to your health care provider before becoming pregnant. There is no known way to prevent the condition.
ReferencesOtto CM, Bonow RO. Valvular Heart Disease. In: Braunwald E, Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow R. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 62.
Park MK. Park: Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2008.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 07/26/2011
A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Kurt R. Schumacher, MD, Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, Ann Arbor, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (4/30/2010).
NO
Yes, a bicuspid aortic valve can be repaired if it is diseased. The procedure usually involves a small incision and the valve will either be repaired, or more often, replaced with a synthetic valve.
Bicuspid valve.. a birth defect of the aortic valve.
Cardiovascular system contains aortic valve. In addition it has pulmonary, bicuspid (Mitral) and tri-cuspid valve.
The human heart has both Tricuspid and a Bicuspid Valve. The Bicuspid Valve is more commonly know as the Aortic Valve. All that bicuspid means is that there are only 2 leaflets in the valve instead of the normal three leaflets that would be found in the tricuspid valve or the mitral valve.
Atrioventricular valves Bicuspid Valve Tricuspid valve Pulmonary valve Aortic valve these are all the valves which are part of the heart.
Note: Mitral valve = bicuspid valve = aortic valve. And tricuspid valve = right atrioventricular valve. Blood flows through the aortic valve --> aorta --> arteries --> arterioles --> capillaries in the great toe --> venules --> veins --> superior and inferior venacavae --> right atrium --> tricuspid valve. This above is incorrect. The Mitral valve is the bicuspid valve but it is NOT the aortic valve. So blood flows from the Mitral valve to the left ventricle to the aortic valve to the aorta. The rest appears correct.
There are two valves in the heart. They are tricuspid valve and bicuspid valve.There is a possibility of the blood going back into the atria. This is prevented by these two valves, the tricuspid valve on the right side and the bicuspid valve on the left side.Tricuspid ValvePulmonary ValveMitral Valve (AKA Bicuspid Vlave)Aortic ValveThe four valves are known as:The tricuspid valveThe pulmonic or pulmonary valveThe mitral valveThe aortic valve
The bicuspid or mitral valve and the aortic valve are on the left side of the heart. The mitral valve separates the left atrium and left ventricle, and the aortic valve is between the left atrium and the aorta.
When the atria contract, there is increase in pressure in the atrial chambers. So both bicuspid and tricuspid valves opened up. When both the ventricles contract, both the bicuspid and tricuspid valves get closed. This opens up the aortic and pulmonary valves.
The antrioventricular valve has two valves. The bicuspid valve has 2 flaps and in located in the right ventricle/right atrium. The tricuspid valve has 3 flaps and is located in the left ventricle/left atrium.
Pulmonary valveAortic ValveMitral ValveTricuspid ValveWHERE ARE THE FOUR HEART VALVES IN THE HEARTTricuspid ValvePulmonary ValveMitral Valve (AKA Bicuspid Vlave)Aortic ValveThe four valves are known as:The tricuspid valveThe pulmonic or pulmonary valveThe mitral valveThe aortic valve