Oscillatory Wall Shear Stress in patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Aortic Regurgitation

Individuals with bicuspid aortic valve (BAVs) and aortic regurgitation have higher rate of aortic complications compared to individuals with stenotic and functioning BAVs. We sought to investigate wall shear stress (WSS) and oscillatory shear index (OSI) in the ascending aorta of BAVs with functioning valves, stenotic and regurgitant valves, as well as controls with tricuspid aortic valves. BAVs with regurgitation had similar WSS compared to all other groups, but OSI was almost twice as high. This finding may be related to the pendulum volume between the aorta and the left ventricle. Studying OSI may improve the understanding behind BAV aortopathy.