What does this research mean for the field?

High ascending aortic [18F]-sodium fluoride uptake is associated with a stiffer and slow-growing ascending aortic phenotype in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to explore the relationship between molecular calcification and ascending aortic disease in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve.

February 25, 2026Open Access

Molecular Calcification Imaging and Ascending Aortic Disease in Patients With a Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Key Result

Low ascending aortic [18F]-sodium fluoride uptake predicted most rapid aortic growth, while high uptake indicated a stiffer, slow-growing aortic phenotype in bicuspid aortic valve patients.

Key Points

This research aims to explore the relationship between molecular calcification and ascending aortic disease in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve.
Cohort study design involving patients with bicuspid aortic valve.
Assessment of ascending aortic uptake using [18F]-sodium fluoride PET imaging.
Evaluated aortic growth rates and wall integrity in relation to uptake levels.
Rapid aortic growth linked to low [18F]-sodium fluoride uptake, indicating poor aortic wall integrity.
High uptake associated with a stiffer and slowly growing aortic phenotype.
PET imaging proved valuable in identifying microcalcification in thoracic aortopathy.

Structured PICO

Does [18F]-sodium fluoride PET imaging predict aortic growth and stiffness in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve?

Population

Patients with a bicuspid aortic valve

Intervention

[18F]-sodium fluoride PET imaging

Comparator

Low versus high [18F]-sodium fluoride ascending aortic uptake

Outcome

Aortic growth rate and ascending aortic stiffnesssurrogate

[18F]-sodium fluoride PET imaging is a promising noninvasive approach to identify microcalcified disease phenotypes and predict aortic growth in bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

In this cohort study of patients with a bicuspid aortic valve, the most rapid aortic growth was seen in those with low 18F-sodium fluoride ascending aortic uptake, indicating reduced aortic wall integrity. High ascending aortic 18F-sodium fluoride uptake was associated with a stiffer and slow-growing ascending aortic phenotype. These findings suggest that 18F-sodium fluoride PET imaging represents a promising new noninvasive approach to identify a microcalcified disease phenotype in thoracic aortopathy among patients with a bicuspid aortic valve.