Key result
Unicommissural unicuspid aortic valve histology reveals micro-intraleaflet hemorrhage and macrophage-rich chronic inflammation.
Why the study?
Unicuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital anomaly that can cause aortic stenosis in young patients.
Case Report (n=1)
No
This case highlights that repetitive commissural mechanical stress in a unicommissural unicuspid aortic valve may cause intraleaflet hemorrhage and chronic inflammation, contributing to remodeling and stenosis progression.
Suggests mechanical stress may promote inflammation in unicuspid aortic valves; hypothesis-generating and should not change practice.
A unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) is a rare congenital anomaly that can cause aortic stenosis in young patients. We present the case of a 44-year-old woman who demonstrated an asymptomatic progression of severe aortic stenosis and ascending aortic dilatation originally detected during pregnancy, and who underwent valve and ascending aortic replacement to reduce the perioperative risk of breast cancer surgery. A gross examination revealed a unicommissural UAV with marked commissural thickening and intraleaflet hemorrhage. A histological examination confirmed micro-intraleaflet hemorrhage and macrophage-rich chronic inflammation. Repetitive commissural mechanical stress may contribute to remodeling and stenosis progression in the UAV.
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Nasu et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Severe aortic stenosis (n=1). Aortic valve and ascending aortic replacement was evaluated on Histopathological findings. Histological examination of the resected unicommissural unicuspid aortic valve revealed micro-intraleaflet hemorrhage and macrophage-rich chronic inflammation.
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