What is it?
The aortic valve is a one way valve, which is the main artery from the heart that distributes oxygenated blood to the body. The aortic valve tends to have 3 leaflets, that regulates blood by opening and closing. Bicuspid aortic valve disease is when you have 2 leaflets not allowing it do its jobs properly.
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Is It Genetic?
Recent studies suggest that it might be caused from a connective tissue disorder. They are still unsure what causes it they know that develops in the early stage of pregnancy and can be present at birth. They say that BAV parents should get screened because the gene for BAV has not been identified but is 20% genetic.
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Symptoms
Treatments
People with BAV tend to be monitored regularly for any changes in their conditions. Some treatments for BAV are:
- Aortic Valve Replacement: the surgeon removes the damaged valve and replaces it with a mechanical valve or valve made from cow, pig or human heart.
- Balloon Valvuloplasty: where a doctor inserts a catheter with a balloon on the tip, this balloon will be guided to the aortic valve, then they inflate the balloon, opening the valve. This procedure is usually done on infants to expand the valve.
- Aortic Valve repair: this is where the surgeons separate the leaflets that were fused, or reshape the leaflets.
- Aortic root and Ascending Aorta Surgery: is when Surgeons remove the enlarged sections of the aorta near the heart, then replace it with a synthetic tube.
Normal leaflets
BAV leaflets
Resources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16780-bicuspid-aortic-valve-disease
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bicuspid-aortic-valve/cdc-20385577
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124624.htm
https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/cardiovascular-care/center-for-heart-valve-disease/bicuspid-aortic-valve/symptoms
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16780-bicuspid-aortic-valve-disease
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bicuspid-aortic-valve/cdc-20385577
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124624.htm
https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/cardiovascular-care/center-for-heart-valve-disease/bicuspid-aortic-valve/symptoms
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