Children with well-functioning isolated bicuspid aortic valves had higher proximal ascending aortic stiffness index (4.2 vs 3.0, P<0.001) and lower septal E' velocity (12 vs 13.5 cm/s, P<0.001).
Case-Control (n=100)
Do children with well-functioning bicuspid aortic valves have abnormal aortic stiffness and left ventricular diastolic function compared to healthy controls?
Children with well-functioning isolated BAV exhibit abnormalities in aortic elasticity and diastolic function compared to healthy controls, though a direct relationship between the two was not established.
Absolute Event Rate: 4.2% vs 3%
p-value: p=<0.001
AIMS: Aortic stiffness and diastolic function are abnormal in adults with bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs). The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between aortic stiffness and left ventricular (LV) diastolic impairment in children with well-functioning BAV and no associated congenital heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a retrospective review of echocardiograms in children with isolated BAV (group BAV; N = 50) and healthy frequency-matched controls (group Control; N = 50). We analysed LV systolic and diastolic function, proximal and distal ascending aortic stiffness index (SI), distensibility, and strain. Age range was 0.2-20 (median 11) years. There was no significant difference in blood pressure, normalized LV size and systolic function between the groups. Several parameters of LV diastolic function were lower in group BAV compared with group Control (e.g. septal E': BAV 12 ± 2.3 cm/s; Control 13.5 ± 1.8 cm/s, P < 0.001). All parameters of proximal and distal ascending aortic elasticity were abnormal in group BAV vs. Control (SI proximal ascending aorta: BAV 4.2 ± 1.6; Control 3.0 ± 0.9, P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between parameters of aortic elasticity and diastolic function. In a subgroup analysis of children with fusion of the right-non vs. right-left coronary cusps, there was no significant difference for any of the parameters analysed. CONCLUSION: Even children with well-functioning isolated BAV have abnormalities in aortic elasticity and diastolic function when compared with the Control group. However, a relationship between the two could not be established.
Weismann et al. (2015) conducted a case-control in Well-functioning bicuspid aortic valves (n=100). Isolated bicuspid aortic valve vs. Healthy frequency-matched controls was evaluated on Proximal ascending aortic stiffness index (SI) (p=<0.001). Children with well-functioning isolated bicuspid aortic valves had higher proximal ascending aortic stiffness index (4.2 vs 3.0, P<0.001) and lower septal E' velocity (12 vs 13.5 cm/s, P<0.001).