Young men with normally functioning bicuspid aortic valves had significantly larger proximal ascending aorta diameters compared to controls (3.12 vs 2.69 cm, p<0.001).
Case-Control (n=136)
Yes
Does the presence of a normally functioning bicuspid aortic valve increase aortic root dimensions in young men compared to matched controls?
Young men with normally functioning bicuspid aortic valves have significantly larger aortic root dimensions compared to matched controls, suggesting aortic dilatation occurs independently of hemodynamic abnormalities.
Absolute Event Rate: 3.12% vs 2.69%
p-value: p=<0.001
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dimensions of the aortic root in a selected population of young males with isolated normally functioning bicuspid aortic valve. DESIGN AND SETTING: Echocardiographic and Doppler evaluation of conscripts with bicuspid aortic valve at the time of military pre-enrolment screening in two military hospitals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 66 consecutive young men with a normally functioning bicuspid aortic valve were studied to assess aortic size at four aortic levels: annulus, sinuses of Valsalva, supra-aortic ridge, and proximal ascending aorta; 70 consecutive normal young subjects, matched for age and body surface area, were used as controls. RESULTS: In men with a bicuspid aortic valve, the diameter of the aortic root was significantly larger than in controls at the sinuses (3.16 (0.37) v 2.87 (0.31) cm, p < 0.001), at the supra-aortic ridge (2.64 (0.46) v 2.47 (0.28) cm, p = 0.01), and at the level of the proximal ascending aorta (3.12 (0.48) v 2.69 (0.28) cm, p < 0.001). The prevalence of aortic root dilatation was 7.5% at the annulus (5/66), 19.6% at the sinuses (13/66), 15% at the supra-aortic ridge (10/66), and 43.9% at the ascending aorta (29/66); 32 subjects (48%) had aortic root dimensions comparable with controls, while 34 (52%) had definitely abnormal aortic root dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic root enlargement in people with a bicuspid aortic valve occurs independently of haemodynamic abnormalities, age, and body size. However, there appear to be different subgroups of young adults with bicuspid aortic valves, one of which is characterised by aortic dilatation, possibly caused by a congenital abnormality of the aortic wall.
Nistri et al. (1999) conducted a case-control in Normally functioning bicuspid aortic valve (n=136). Bicuspid aortic valve vs. Normal subjects matched for age and body surface area was evaluated on Aortic root diameter at the proximal ascending aorta (p=<0.001). Young men with normally functioning bicuspid aortic valves had significantly larger proximal ascending aorta diameters compared to controls (3.12 vs 2.69 cm, p<0.001).